Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Construction Delayed on Recreation Center for Youths : Crime prevention: Officials hope the $4.35-million facility will reduce graffiti and vandalism.

Construction of a $4.35-million recreation center that officials had hoped would divert restless youths from graffiti and vandalism has been delayed about three months.

The proposed center has been stalled by two actions. Co-sponsors Skateland Enterprises and Mountasia Entertainment International have been working out the details of their limited partnership and contract negotiations have been under way with a major fast-food vendor for the facility, said Mike Fleming, Skateland vice president of marketing.

Local youths have long complained about having few activities in Santa Clarita, and law enforcement officials say the center will help cut down on minor crimes such as drag-racing, graffiti or vandalism that occur when youths are bored.

“Anytime you can occupy the idle time of the area youth, you’re going to see some decrease in the crime accountable to (them),” said Lt. Marv Dixon of the Santa Clarita Valley sheriff’s station.

The recreation center, now scheduled to open in late February, will cover nine acres off Golden Triangle Road in Saugus and include an 18-hole miniature golf course, game room, bumper boats, batting cages, go-cart track and roller skating rink.

Although detailed plans have not yet been submitted to the City Planning Department, Fleming said the bulk of the proposal has been OKd and no problems are anticipated in the approval process.

City officials acknowledge the need for more youth activities in Santa Clarita.

“There isn’t anything else like it up here. When they do get it on board, there will be a lot more pent-up demand for it,” said Mike Haviland, economic development coordinator for Santa Clarita.

Recreation center creators are conscious of the center’s possible impact upon the community, and in May met with Santa Clarita’s Anti-Gang Task Force. Security measures at the park will include elaborate surveillance cameras and the employment of off-duty police officers.

“It’s a safe community. They’ve got a lot to protect and they don’t want anybody to come in who’s not going to bring something (positive) with them,” Fleming said.

Santa Clarita was considered a good location for the recreation center because of its large number of families and low crime rate.

Graffiti incidents have increased significantly in Santa Clarita this year. In June, the city’s graffiti hot line received 207 calls compared to 60 in the same month last year, said Kevin Tonoian, an administrative assistant in the Public Works Department.

“I think they (taggers) do it out of boredom. They want excitement. If they don’t have some provided, they’ll go find some,” Fleming said.

About 300 to 1,000 people are expected to participate at the recreation center per day, Fleming said.

“One nice thing about it is whether the weather is good or bad, there’s going to be entertainment there,” Fleming said.

Although the center is seen as something that will reduce minor crimes, law enforcement officials say it may also draw some restless youths from other communities.

City officials and representatives from Skateland and Mountasia are scheduled to visit the Saugus site next week. Groundbreaking activities are expected to occur in September.