Bear Recreation and Athletic Center

Address

1201 10th Avenue
Grinnell, IA 50112

Campus Map

The Bear Recreation and Athletic Center houses:

  • The 1,250 seat Darby Gymnasium, home of the Pioneer men’s and women’s basketball teams and volleyball team;
  • A 500-seat natatorium with a 50-meter pool and movable bulkheads; and
  • A six-lane 200-meter fieldhouse with seating for 400.
  • An 8,000 square foot fitness center with cardiovascular and strength equipment;
  • An auxiliary practice gymnasium

In addition, the center houses the physical education and athletics staff and faculty, as well as classroom and practice space, climbing and bouldering walls, racquetball courts, locker rooms, equipment room, and a concession lounge with wireless Internet access and seating area.

The center is located north of 10th Avenue between Park and East Street. Visitor parking is available in the lots to the south and east of the fitness center. Accessible parking is located in the lots to the south of the fitness center and to the west of the natatorium.

History

The center was completed in two phases. The first phase, completed in 2005, contains the gyms and the fitness center, while the later phase, completed in 2010, contains the natatorium and fieldhouse. 

The building is named for the late alumnus, trustee, and publishing executive Charles Bear.  Bequests of more than $10 million from the estates of Bear and his partner, A. John Gambers, supported the construction of a natatorium and fieldhouse in the two-part state-of-the-art center. The bequests are among the largest combined gift distributions in the College's history.

Details

Date of Construction

2005

Nearest Parking Lot

Visitor and faculty/staff parking to the east and south. Student parking to the west and south. Accessible parking to the south of the main center entrance and to the west of the natatorium/pool.

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