Best public/nonprofit outdoor family aquatics center: Santa Clarita, Calif., Aquatic Center.(safety measures in swimming pools)

Six high schools, six swim teams, limited pool space. How to accommodate all these needs without competing schools practicing together? The city of Santa Clarita, Calif., knew how--and became a hero of the community for making it happen.

Through a joint use agreement between the city and the high school district, the city hosted the teams at the new aquatics center and an additional outside park pool. Recently, two more high schools were added to address the city's fast-growing population, with another on its way; the new additions require more scheduling changes without interrupting the current programming offered to the rest of the community.

As a city that's consistently ranked as one of the nation's safest, Santa Clarita draws a diverse population to its warm Southern Californian neighborhoods. And in response to the fast-growing population, the city built the Santa Clarita Aquatic Center with innovative ideas to draw both the competitive and the recreation-seeking clientele. From a U.S. Masters Team and water polo for the more sporty to a zero-depth entry play area for families, the new center focuses on addressing the needs of the entire community, present and future.--R.Y.