By William Croyle
Enquirer contributor

FORT THOMAS - Kevin Wood of Fort Thomas has been a member of the Campbell County YMCA for three years. But he said he stopped going for a while because there wasn't enough room to move.

"I'm a big guy and was always getting in somebody's way," said Wood. "All the machines were in a space so small that everyone was dancing around one another. But now it's fantastic. It's changed a whole lot."

Wood has resumed his daily workouts at the YMCA after completion of a $500,000 renovation, which was capped this past weekend with an open house. It's the second major renovation at the Campbell County branch since 2002, when a $1.1 million gym was built.

Both projects were funded through donations.

The main fitness room has more than doubled in size, from 1,500 square feet to 3,600 square feet and includes a mezzanine level. There are 26 new machines in the room, including treadmills, bikes and cross trainers. Eight new strength-training machines also have been added. Five televisions are mounted to the walls, compared to two in the old room.

Two racquetball courts were removed to make way for the expansion, but two remain. And the high ceilings from the old courts are intact in the new fitness room.

"It was really cramped and dreary looking before, but this has big windows and softer lighting," said Debbie Ayers, who has been working out at the Campbell YMCA for 11 years. "I have to keep hitting myself and saying 'This is the Y!' "

The project also included a $25,000 to $35,000 renovation to the aerobics room, including a new wood floor, mats, weights and other equipment.

The child care area has doubled in space, and an elevator, conference room and changing room for the disabled have been added.

And a "yet-to-be-fit" room, away from the main fitness room, is almost complete.

"We had been asked for this room by people who are self-conscious about other people watching them," said Brad Kinkema, executive director of the Campbell branch. The room will also have a television and include about a half-dozen cardio machines.

The Campbell County YMCA is one of 17 YMCAs in the Greater Cincinnati area and has more than 1,100 individual and family memberships.