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     A dusty patch of desert land on Sunrise Mountain will one day be the site of the largest park and recreation center in Clark County, where residents can enjoy a wide range of recreational opportunities.

      Construction on the 160-acre park at Sahara Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard is scheduled to begin early next year with a 43,000 square-foot recreation center, said Jeff Harris, director of Clark County Parks and Recreation.

      Because the cost of such a large-scale project could top $80 million, development will occur in several phases. The first phase will include the recreation center and development of some surrounding turf. The department has $10 million to start with, Harris said.

      Plans are also in the works to build a middle school adjacent to the park, said Dusty Dickens, director of the Clark County School District's Demographics, Zoning and Realty department.

      The Kathleen and Tim Harney Middle School is scheduled to open in August 2002.

      The school and parks and recreation will co-develop the projects and share facilities, something that's never been done before, Dickens said.

      "We've done some joint use (projects) with the county many times," Dickens said. "This is a bit unique. To actually master plan a whole park and place a school in that, it's a first and it's kind of exciting."

      When complete, the park will include: an aquatics complex; an active sports area for tennis, baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, and outdoor handball; a skate park; an equestrian staging area; open turf for soccer and field sports; an outdoor amphitheater; and an indoor theater.

      The 7,500 seat outdoor amphitheater will be developed in a later phase and used for special events, concerts and other activities.

      The recreation center will have meeting halls, computer labs, preschool rooms and neighborhood services.

      Of course the traditional playground will be available, in addition to more unique amenities like spray pools, a frisbee-style golf course, interpretive gardens and a memorial garden.

      The aquatics facility will be shared by the county and school, Harris said.

      A project like this will benefit both the school and the county, Dickens said.

      "There are some nice options we can do there for students and the community," Dickens said.

      The entire park could take a number of years, possibly 10 to 20 years, Harris said, mainly due to the projected cost of such a facility.

      "We'll be able to do a lot on that site," Harris said. "If everything goes right, we may be able to build it out in 10 to 20 years. This will be very nice."