Santa Needs A New Home

Santa needs a new ho-ho- home.

The Parks, Recreation, Marina and Cultural Commission tonight will hear a report from recreation manager outlining the need for a new Santa House. The present one has worn out its welcoming charm, is too small and hard to get around in, according to Santa’s primary spokesperson, Marty Ochoa.

The PRMCC meets tonight at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 525 Henrietta St.

Ochoa is working with Public Works Director Dave Scola to design a new home that will allow more freedom of movement, a straight path from the entrance to the exit, and an area where groups can pose for photos with Santa.

The present house was built 20 years ago by Centrex Homes at no cost to the city, as part of a development agreement. It has functioned each year as the home of Santa, where kids can line up and get their pictures taken, tick off their Christmas wish list, and get a free candy cane. The appearance of the red house on Main Street Plaza has come as much as anything to signal the start of another Christmas season in Martinez.

As with anything new, however, there are challenges. Scola said that increasing the size of the house, while making it more inviting and accommodating for kids, the public, and Santa, will pose a problem in terms of transportation and storage. But, in the spirit of the season, Scola said such issues can be worked out.

The other issue is cost. Since the present home was built for free, city officials are hoping to work with local builders to get the same kind of deal by next year’s Christmas celebration.

Whatever the outcome of the issue, we hope that next year Santa doesn’t wind up ho-ho homeless.