Santa Maria Sports Complex Gets $1.5 million Boost from County Board

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, on October 14, 2025, approved $1.5 million for the Santa Maria Sports Complex.
Construction of the sports complex is expected to be completed next year.

According to the City of Santa Maria’s website, the City Council approved a $9.89 million contract on November 20, 2024, to construct a new Sports Complex at the corner of Stowell Road and Depot Street.

The project will include grading, irrigation, landscaping, electrical work, hardscape, and the installation of restrooms and playgrounds.

The complex will offer the community four multipurpose playing fields, sports lighting, restroom facilities, and a dedicated space for community events.

With thousands of children participating in Santa Maria’s soccer leagues and school teams year-round, the City has long sought funding and applied for grants to expand its athletic facilities. The City Council, Planning Commission, and Recreation and Parks Commission all support the development of this community sports complex.

Project Overview

• 19.7-acre regional park at the southwest corner of West Stowell Road & South Depot Street
• Construction began in April 2025 and is expected to be completed in October 2026
• Meeting long-standing recreational needs in Santa Maria

Funding Summary

• Proposition 68 (statewide park development grant) – $6.1 million
• Santa Barbara County contribution – $1.5 million
• City of Santa Maria – $1 million+
• Local project funding (earmarked) – $1 million
• Community development block grant – $1.06 million

The funding approval comes as Santa Barbara Sky FC announced earlier this month the postponement of its inaugural season to March 2027.

“After careful evaluation, we’ve decided that Santa Barbara Sky will not be kicking off next season as planned. This doesn’t mean we’re slowing down,” Santa Barbara Sky FC stated.

The club said it has finalized the ownership group and was getting ready for sanctioning, with plans to take the field in March 2027.

The club will join fellow California-based organizations Monterey Bay FC, Oakland Roots SC, Orange County SC, and Sacramento Republic FC.

The United Soccer League, founded in 1986, is a well-established and fast-growing entity in the U.S. soccer community, providing a clear pathway from youth to professional levels in its organized structure.

In September 2025, Santa Barbara Sky FC launched a storytelling project to highlight local community experiences through residents’ perspectives.

At the time, the club said in an X post, “The project, All One Under The Sky, will document life across areas such as Santa Barbara, Camarillo, Goleta, Carpinteria, Oxnard, Ventura, Santa Maria, Orcutt, San Luis Obispo, Lompoc, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Ojai, Paso Robles, Santa Paula, and Atascadero, among others.”