To Beat The Heat, Ice Is Nice

To watch those trying to escape this summer's heat enter the perpetually 50-degree ice center at the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center is like seeing desert travelers find an oasis.

For the center's facilities manager, however, such chilling out is just another day at the office.

"We have a refrigeration system that maintains ice and the indoor temperature and a separate air-conditioning unit for the community center," Robert D. Hlebinsky said.

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Special Olympians Preparing To Skate In Mt. Lebanon

Like the figure skaters she watches on television, Ellen Siciliano plans to dazzle the crowds as she glides across the ice next month in her red sequined dress. Ms. Siciliano, 46, will have plenty of fans to cheer her, including fellow residents at the Mainstay semi-independent living facility in Castle Shannon.

Another who plans to be on the ice is Bobby Walsh, 32, of Upper St. Clair, who, when asked what he likes best about the sport of figure skating, said: "I'm good at it."

Last week, Ms. Siciliano and Mr. Walsh and about 10 other Special Olympic athletes practiced at the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center for the annual Special Olympics Allegheny County Figure Skating Tournament. It will be held at that site from 1 to 3 p.m. on Feb. 6. Admission is free.

Read more: www.post-gazette.com/pg/10021/1029768-55.stm