GRAND RE-OPENING OF LANARK POOL

Renovation of a City pool in Canoga Park

Canoga Park - The Department of Recreation and Parks held a Grand Re-Opening for Lanark Pool in Canoga Park on Thursday, June 21, 2007. The $3.2 million project includes a completely new pool and a renovated bathhouse.

The new pool is 60' by 120', with a depth ranging from 3' 6" to 12' and can accomodate up to 360 people; it holds 47,000 cubic feet of water, which is more than 350,000 gallons. Other features include racing lanes, underwater lights, a diving stand and a lift for the disabled.

Sparano and Mooney Architecture of Los Angeles designed the project, with Western Group, Inc. of Woodland Hills serving as the general contractor. The Architectural Division of the Bureau of Engineering in the City's Department of Public Works managed the project through it's Municipal Facilities Program. Funding came from several sources, including developer fees, the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency, Propositions 12 and 40, and both the City's and the Department of Recreation and Parks' general fund.

The celebration also included the kick-off of Operation Splash, an aquatic's program that teaches kids and adults how to swim. The program is a partnership between Kaiser Permanente and the Department's Aquatics Division and begins its second year with the 2007 summer swimming season.

From June 23 through September 3, City residents will have access to free swim lessons at select City pools. The mission of Operation Splash is to support aquatic facilities and swim programs that help increase physical activity in low-income areas, diminish the risk of chronic diseases and build strong bodies.

For more information on Operation Splash contact the Department's Aquatics Division at (323)906-7953 or visit or website at http://www.laparks.org/.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213)928-9294, or cell, (323)816-6712

Harvey Drut: (213)928-9296, or cell, (323)816-6711