WARREN - The YMCA of Warren has newly remodeled racquetball courts and new exercise equipment, which were among the items highlighted during a recent two-day open house.
Rich Denamen, executive director of the YMCA, said 12 volunteers, many of whom play racquetball, helped renovate and paint a racquetball court on the second floor.
A court was renovated last year by Mike Surin with MTS Painting, which also provided supervision for the other court project.
Denamen said the volunteers were able to complete the work over two weekends.
"The courts were aged and needed done. Many of the racquetball players wanted to help," he said.
Hugh Anderson, a volunteer, said work included scraping and painting the walls, as well as fundraising. A 50-50 raffle raised $2,100, and donations totaled $5,200.
Anderson said the racquetball court walls were deteriorating, so he and others approached the board of directors in early November about doing the project in time for the open house on Jan. 26 and 27.
He said local businesses and stores helped with the project by providing materials.
John Russell, a volunteer, said the volunteers did a lot of work.
"It was a community effort. The YMCA was making great strides in growth and facility upgrades with new floors and windows and new exercise equipment," Russell said.
Sparky Kerr said everyone shared duties and did all the same "dirty, dusty jobs" on the project.
Jim Herron, a volunteer, was also a major donator to the project for the remodeled court, which will open to the public on Feb. 4.
"It's just another step in our improvement program. What is nice is it was all done through fundraising efforts and volunteers," Denamen said.
Wendy Marvin, assistant director, said representatives of Star Trac were on hand at the open house to explain the nine new pieces of equipment.
Jalisa Elkins, membership coordinator, said people came to the open house to see the changes that were made.
"Many were surprised how big it is inside and all the different programs that are offered," she said.
New equipment included $30,000 worth of items from Star Trac.
Denamen said as part of the remodeling and renovation, it was decided to add the new equipment.
"There was work done inside and outside the building," she said.
The YMCA hopes to gain memberships and feels the remodeling and new programs are a way to attract others, Denamen said.