The Avila Beach Community Centertest

The Avila Beach Community Center is owned and operated by the Avila Beach Civic Association. The Avila Beach Civic Association is a non-profit community-based organization and has been serving the community of Avila Beach since 1958. We are committed to connecting the communities of and around Avila Beach through play, hope and joy in life. Our community center continues to offer and develop programs, events and activities for all ages that promote personal growth and development, social interaction, and a fun positive atmosphere. 

Our Vision

Connecting the community of greater Avila Beach through play, hope, and joy in life.

Purpose of the Avila Beach Community Center

  • To develop an increased civic and social "interest" in the community of Avila Beach
  • To improve by all lawful, ethical, and honorable means, the status and condition of the community of Avila Beach
  • To foster and cultivate the social and educational relations in the community of Avila Beach
  • To provide healthful recreational activities for the community of Avila Beach
  • To own and operate a community center to serve the greater Avila Beach area

History of the Avila Beach Community Center

In the late 1950's a group of long-time Avila citizens formed the Avila Beach Civic Association: Evelyn Phelan, Gladys Misakian, Charles Blizzard, Hayden Glenn and John Gorman, plus Fred Campbell, Supervisor, and others. One of their primary goals was to construct a Civic (community) Center to provide a place for town activities. After years of fundraising and hard work, the Avila Beach Civic Center was completed in 1962. For over four decades the Civic Center has provided a home for many of Avila's special events and activities. During much of that time, John Gorman presided as President of the ABCA, also providing his time and effort as the caretaker of the structure.

The Civic Center was renamed the "Community Center" in 2004. It is a place to gather and meet neighbors and friends. It hosts birthday parties for the youth of the community, provides a meeting space for the many local organizations, and is a place for recreational pursuits and programs. During the Avila Beach clean-up process after the disastrous oil contamination, the Center was the focal point for discussion and coordination of the remediation process.

The Avila Beach Civic Association has recently completed a major renovation of the Avila Beach Community Center and updating the facility to make it accessible to all residents and visitors. With generous support from San Luis Obispo County and the Avila Beach Community Foundation, the renovation was completed in 2007.

Expanding the Avila Beach Community Center

The Avila Beach Civic Association is now undertaking the second phase of the construction project. Plans are underway for a second new building which will be adjacent to the recently renovated center (see the rendering on our home page). The cost estimate for construction of the new facility is $750,000. It will be a two story facility housing two large classrooms, restrooms, and storage space. The ABCA is currently developing a fundraising strategy to secure the funds for the new addition. Everyone in Avila Beach and the Avila Valley, residents and visitors alike, is encouraged to give generously to help fund the expansion.