Siena fitness director touts active lifestyle

Siena, the age-qualified community developed by Sunrise Colony Co. in Summerlin, has hired exercise physiologist Wayne Ireland to manage its recently opened health and fitness center.

Ireland, who previously worked as fitness director at Sun City Summerlin, began his career as the director of a North Carolina hospital's cardiac rehabilitation team, where he helped heart patients achieve a healthier lifestyle through nutrition, stress management and exercise.

"I wished so often my cardiac patients could have known earlier in their lives that an ounce of prevention is really worth a pound of cure. I decided then to get into preventative work," Ireland said.

"I find most people eventually enjoy exercising. The hardest step is usually the first one. It's amazing what the human body can do at any age, given half a chance. Many retired people get into the best shape of their lives because they finally have time to devote to exercise."

Ireland is organizing classes, monitoring the center's cardiovascular equipment and working with Siena's on-site wellness partner, Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, to create individualized fitness programs for residents.

"The social aspect of a community fitness center is a very important motivational factor for maintaining a fitness program. Many Siena residents also say they chose this community because they wanted the convenience of a health club within walking distance of home, so they don't have to fight traffic," Ireland said.

"We will also have a wide variety of aerobic choices -- tai chi, yoga, bocce ball, tennis conditioning and golf conditioning classes. There are also fabulous indoor and outdoor swimming pools and spas for swimming and water aerobics classes."

The guard-gated community also has a daily-fee, par-72 golf course open to the public. Residents have special rates and preferred tee times.

Its 11,800-square-foot golf club will include a golf shop and the Siena Grille with a dining patio. The community's 40,000-square-foot community center will have arts and crafts facilities, meeting rooms, a library, ballroom and theater, card rooms, billiards room, and computer and business center. A temporary community center opens this month.

Priced from the mid-$150,000s to more than $650,000, 14 single-story floor plans are available, ranging from 1,200 to more than 3,100 square feet.

To visit, take Sahara Avenue or Interstate 215 to Town Center Drive and turn south. The models are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Real Estate home