Renavations and the construction of the addition to the Carpenter Sports Building began in January 2012 with the project set to finish in the Fall of 2013. All renderings are by Hughes Group Architects.

Carpenter Sports Building, named in honor of R.R.M. Carpenter Sr., a former member of the Board of Trustees and long-time benefactor and supporter of the University, serves as host to the University of Delaware volleyball and men's and women's swimming and diving teams and as a facility for UD club sports, intramurals, and student, faculty, alumni, and community recreational activities.

The 167,000 square-foot building includes the Harry W. Rawstrom Natatorium, two gymnasiums, including Barbara Viera Court (volleyball), student and employee fitness centers, racquetball courts, a rock-climbing wall, locker rooms, and offices for the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation staff and the Department of Health and Exercise Sciences faculty.

Opened in 1942 as a recreational facility, storage area of military equipment, and an indoor drill area for the ROTC, Carpenter Sports Building served as the home court for the UD men's and women's basketball teams until midway through the 1966-67 season.

The Harry W. Rawstrom Natatorium in Carpenter Sports Building has served as home for the University of Delaware men's swimming and diving team since the 1967-68 season and for the UD women's swimming and diving team since the 1971-72 campaign.

Rawstrom Natatorium is named in honor of Harry W. Rawstrom, who served as head coach of the Blue Hen men's swimming and diving team from 1946 until 1981. A member of the University of Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame and Delaware Sports Hall of Fame, he died in 1994. The pool was dedicated and named in his honor in 1991.

The 15,000-square foot natatorium includes a 25-yard pool, a diving well with 1-meter, 3-meter, and platform boards, seating for approximately 700 fans, school and pool record boards, an electrical timing scoreboard, and offices. A view of the pool can be seen from windows located in the main corridor of the Carpenter Sports Building.

In addition to University of Delaware home meets, the Rawstrom Natatorium annually hosts the Delaware Secondary School Athletic Association state high school boys and girls swimming championships, regional amateur meets, and serves University employees and students and the community as a recreational facility. Delaware has also hosted numerous conference swimming championships, including the America East conference championship meets in 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, and 2000.

Carpenter Sports Building underwent a $14.3 million renovation to update the function and appearance and improve the infrastructure of the building. The project was completed in 2000.

In addition, CSB is the primary recreation facility on campus. Open recreation hours are available at the building's various facilities.

Sports at this Facility Men's Swimming & Diving Women's Swimming & Diving Volleyball Features Information Desk Basketball Courts Barbara Viera Court (volleyball & basketball) Harry Rawstrom Natatorium 2 General Locker Rooms & 2 Staff Locker Rooms 2 Activity rooms with mirrors Indoor Climbing Wall Auxilliary Gym (with ballet bars and mirrors) 5 Wallyball courts 5 Racquetball courts 1 Squash courts Student Fitness Center (SFC) Employee Wellness Center (EWC) Outdoor Recreation Resource Center (ORRC): includes Equipment Rental Center Recreation and Intramural Programs offices Department of Health and Excercise Sciences offices College of Health and Nursing Sciences Computing Site Accessiblity Accessible west entrance Elevator Accessible restrooms Fully accessible pay phones (wheelchair-accessible and TDD-equipped) For more information, please see Campus Accessibility.

Hours Click here for updated Carpenter Sports Building hours Directions to the Carpenter Sports Building Carpenter Sports Building is located at the north end of campus between Main Street and Cleveland Avenue. From North College Avenue, enter the parking lot and proceed around Mechanical Hall. Phone Numbers Information Desk (302) 831-8600 Indoor Pool Office (302) 831-2259 Fitness Classes (302) 831-8600 Recreation & Intramural Programs (302) 831-2259 Ticket Information (302) UD1-HENS For more information, please see Carpenter Sports Building

For more information, please visit the Bob Carpenter Center Website.