CHILDREN, SENIORS WILL GET BREAK AT SPORTS COMPLEX.

Byline: Teresa Jimenez Daily News Staff Writer

When the Santa Clarita Sports Complex opens Dec. 7, city staff members want to make sure visitors come with their athletic shoes, shorts and pocket change.

But during its meeting Tuesday night, the City Council adjusted a staff recommendation to charge children and senior citizens to play basketball and volleyball. In an exception to the minimal fees, it was decided that kids and seniors will be able to play basketball and volleyball for free.

``They thought that the whole idea of the rec center is to have the participation of the kids,'' said Chris Daste, city recreation supervisor. ``The council really wanted to have it open. And the skate park (on the same site) is free. So it keeps it consistent.''

The city's gym at 26407 Golden Valley Road certainly looks like an upscale facility. The 22,000-square-foot building has two basketball courts that also can be used as volleyball courts, and four racquetball courts with hardwood floors. It also has folding bleachers, locker rooms with showers, an office and a lobby area.

Workers are putting the finishing touches on the building for the grand opening Dec. 5. But the colorful structure, with splashes of blue, green, peach and purple, looks ready for visitors.

``The landscape is just going in and there are the typical adjustments - things here and there that we want fixed,'' Daste said.

The gym will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The approved fees are split among off-hours rates and prime-time rates, which apply from 6-9 a.m. and 3-10 p.m. weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday.

For basketball and volleyball, adults will be charged $2 an hour during prime-time hours. During off hours, adults will be charged $1.50. Juniors and seniors will pay nothing regardless of the time.

For racquetball, adults will pay $6 an hour during prime time, and juniors and seniors will pay $3 an hour. During off hours, adults will pay $4 an hour and juniors and seniors will pay $2 an hour.

An annual multiuse membership fee will be available for $140 a year for an individual and $280 a year for a family of four.

The city bought the site, a former Merle Norman Cosmetics warehouse complex, about a year ago for $3.1 million. The property has three warehouses, all about 22,000 square feet. So far, one of the buildings - the new gym - has been converted for recreational purposes for nearly $2 million. The city's new skate park also has been built on the site and has been open for several weeks.

The city has begun working on a plan for the rest of the site, which could become home to a swimming pool, playing fields, recreational offices or other facilities.

This winter, one of the unused warehouses will be used as a homeless shelter.