CITY CITES NEED FOR HOOP COURTS : OUTLYING KIDS COULD BE BARRED.

Byline: Amy Collins Daily News Staff Writer

Children in Castaic, Stevenson Ranch and other communities on the outskirts of Santa Clarita might be kept out of the youth basketball program to ensure that city residents have first shot at sign-ups.

During a special meeting Tuesday night, the City Council discussed options that would allow all gung-ho basketball players in the Santa Clarita Valley to participate if new courts can be acquired. If not, more children will have to sit out.

``The issue then becomes: which kids are we taking it out on,'' said Mayor Clyde Smyth.

The city's subsidy of the program is 46 percent of all costs, or $75,000, according to city officials.

The council, which did not take a vote on the issue, appeared split on whether it would back a priority registration period for residents. The city has about a year to come up with other solutions since the big crush is for winter basketball.

There are 235 children on the waiting list for youth basketball. The program can accommodate 1,640 children on its 184 teams this season, according to the Parks and Recreation Department.

``Every gym in the city is either in use or unavailable to us,'' said John Danielson, the city's Parks and Recreation Commission services manager.

Councilwoman Jan Heidt said it may be unfair to let children who play in other leagues also play in the city league. Youth basketball programs also are offered through churches, the Boys & Girls Club, the YMCA and schools, including the junior college system.

Councilwoman Jill Klagic said youngsters living on the city's outskirts - about 15 percent of those in the municipal basketball program - should not be treated differently from those inside the boundaries. ``I've never seen those boundaries since the day (the Local Agency Formation Commission) drew them. This is one valley, one city, one community,'' Klagic said.

THE FACTS

Santa Clarita's community recreation program has become a victim of its own success. Its offerings continue to grow, but space and time to play is limited, causing some of the programs to slam the doors shut. Some statistics illustrate the growth:

The city's catalog for spring of 1989 had 10 pages, listing 50 offerings. The catalog for spring 1997 is 66 pages, with more than 200 programs and 1,400 offerings.

In 1995, there were 25,600 participants in the city's recreation programs. The number increased to 31,200 in 1996.

There was a 25 percent increase last year alone in the youth basketball program.

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Box: THE FACTS (see text)