AQUATICS CONTRACT AWARDED.

Byline: Amy Raisin Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - The City Council awarded a $7.2 million contract Tuesday for construction of an aquatics center at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex. The site will contain three pools, bleachers and an aquatics building.

Within its gates the new Aquatics Center will occupy slightly more than three acres, with extensive parking and landscaping surrounding the facility.

At a projected cost estimated by city officials as about $8.3 million, the center will feature a 50-meter competition pool with bleacher seating, a 25-meter pool with a competition diving well and a recreational pool.

``There's a huge demand in the valley for our Learn to Swim program and the schools will benefit,'' said Rick Gould, director of parks, recreation and community for the city of Santa Clarita.

Groundbreaking for the site on Golden Valley Road is scheduled for April 5.

Before the council members awarded the contract Tuesday to Santa Clarita-based Fedcon General Contractors, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Duane Harte presented the council with an Excellence in Aquatics Award issued by the National Recreation and Park Association.

Santa Clarita is one of three California cities to receive the award since the association was founded in 1990, said Harte, who intends to run for a seat on the City Council.

``Considering the facilities we have right now, to win a national award is amazing, and by the time we get the center up and running we'll have an incredible program,'' Harte said.