HOUSE PASSES BILL WITH SOCCER CENTER FUNDING.

Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer

LANCASTER - Lancaster will score $740,000 for its National Soccer Center in a bill approved Thursday by the House of Representatives.

The funds were included in the Community Development Block Grant program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act.

``I'm extremely excited to have secured federal funds for improvements to the Lancaster National Soccer Center,'' said Rep. Howard ``Buck'' McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, whose district includes Lancaster. ``Youth sports is a great way to teach children about teamwork and sportsmanship.''

Dedicated in 1998, the 169-acre soccer center is being developed in phases at an estimated cost of $15 million. Located north of Avenue L between 25th and 35th streets east, the center contains 34 fields.

Plans for the federal aid are still being developed, but they will likely include adding field lighting, the installation of bleachers at one field, and the construction of a locker room/training room facility, said Lyle Norton, the city's director of parks, recreation and arts.

The addition of a locker room building will help the city attract such programs as last year's cross-promotional effort with the Los Angeles Galaxy pro soccer team. Last year, the Galaxy spent a week training in Lancaster and holding clinics for youths.

The locker room would also make the center more attractive as a potential Olympic program training site, Norton said.

The city is developing the soccer center with two goals in mind: meeting the needs of the city's residents and drawing in major tournaments that attract hundreds of out-of-town visitors and their dollars.

Last year, the city hosted 11 tournaments which contributed an estimated $2 million to region's economy, city officials say.