By the edhat staff

A campaign to restore the historic Band Shell at Plaza del Mar has raised $45,500 to bring back live entertainment.

The Parks and Recreation Community (PARC) Foundation partnered with the City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department to secure the funds needed to achieve the renovation.

Plaza Del Mar, located near the Harbor and Los Banos Pool, is one of the city's oldest city parks established in 1899. It was a favorite location for strolling and outdoor gatherings with the band shell constructed twenty years later to provide a venue for public concerts.

Five thousand people attended the band shell's opening concert on May 4, 1919, which featured a 22-piece municipal band. Since then it hosted concerts, dramatic performances, recitals, and speeches. Designed in the Mission Revival style by Winsor Soule, it is the only remnant of the iconic entertainment structures which once graced historic Plaza del Mar.

An assessment of the building condition in October 2020 revealed that the band shell needs structural repairs to the building frame, roof, and the wooden stage surface in addition to façade repairs. Electrical upgrades and restoration of the original lighting will allow a wide range of future uses. Lastly, the renovation will achieve accessibility improvements to the building and the stage, according to PARC.

PARC hopes the renovation of the band shell will revitalize Plaza del Mar for music, drama, dance and celebratory events.

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