The T.O. City Council has approved an expenditure of $250,000 for construction of a gymnasium at Sycamore Canyon School in Newbury Park.

"This places this school on par with other schools in the district with a state of the art facility," said Councilmember Andy Fox. "It's a great addition."

In May 2004, the council approved up to $1 million in community recreation and open space endowment funds for grants to Conejo Valley Unified School District.

The majority-$750,000- was earmarked immediately and the rest was put in a reserve account for future use.

The money was needed when the lowest bid for the gym came in at $4.2 million. The amount budgeted was $3 million, according to an official report.

Reducing the size of the gym would have delayed construction and jeopardized a state grant, according to Assistant City Manager Linda Pappas Diaz.

Construction of the gymnasium is expected to be completed next year, she said.

-Nancy Needham