FITNESS CENTER OPENS: Siena's fitness center to open with a splash

SPECIAL TO REAL ESTATE

The public is invited to attend Saturday's grand opening of the health and fitness center at Siena, a Tuscan-themed, age-qualified village in Summerlin. A highlight of the day's festivities will be a synchronized swimming exhibition by LST SynchroEntertainment's Golden Mermaids, whose water ballet will be performed to the music of Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.

The celebration runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the new 15,900-square-foot facility, which will be available for the exclusive use of residents of Siena.

Other highlights will include bocce ball demonstrations, a poolside fashion show, and "Ask the Pro" tennis and golf clinics. Prizes will be given away, and include two tickets to see Bocelli perform at an upcoming concert in Las Vegas.

The new center features a domed swim pavilion with a 25-meter pool and spa in addition to the outdoor pool and spa. Other amenities include cardiovascular and weight rooms, saunas and steam rooms in both the men's and women's locker rooms, four lighted tennis courts, and two tournament-caliber bocce ball courts.

The decor includes hand-painted murals plus two-story floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the community's golf course.

"The Italians say you should drink deeply from the cup of life," Siena executive Paul Smith said. "At Siena, we believe exercising is a big part of living life to the max."

Wayne Ireland, exercise physiologist and fitness center manager, is delighted about working with the residents.

"People who never bought a pair of running shoes or even liked sports before are discovering they don't have to spend their lives on the sidelines," Ireland said. "Study after study has shown that biologically we can reverse the aging process by 15 to 25 years.

"The problem isn't aging, it's inactivity. Steady walking, swimming or biking combined with light weight training can lead at any age to denser bones, better flexibility, more strength and energy. Besides, sports are fun."

The full-service Destination Salon and Spa offers therapeutic massages, sports therapy and reflexology. Natural body treatments include mineral or herbal body wraps and aromatherapy.

Summerlin Hospital Medical Center's on-site wellness center provides educational resources, including nutrition seminars, health screenings and literature. The center's staff will present several free seminars, including "Health Resolutions for the New Year."

The heart of Siena will be a 40,000-square-foot community center with arts and crafts facilities, a ballroom and theater, card and billiards rooms, and a computer and business center.

Palm trees line the private road leading to the guard-gated entrance to Siena, which is the only guard-gated community for people age 55 and older in Southern Nevada, according to Smith.

To visit the model village, take Sahara Avenue or the Las Vegas Beltway to Town Center Drive and go south, following the signs. Models are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.S U N D A Y , J A N U A R Y 1 4 , 2 0 0 1

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