Bob Carpenter Center is a 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena, in Newark, Delaware, named in honor of the late benefactor and trustee, R. R. M. Carpenter, Jr.. Students at the University of Delaware have nicknamed it "The Bob."
The arena opened in 1992 and facility was designed by HOK Sport, who have been involved in more than 150 sports and recreation projects. The construction of the building cost $20.5 million. In late 2010, the University began construction on an addition, which will include two full-size basketball courts, new offices and locker rooms for the basketball and volleyball programs, and a new entrance plaza.
The arena section of the building is named in honor of Frank E. Acierno, a local businessman and developer, who donated $1 million to the Bob Carpenter Center, the largest gift from a single donor.
It is home to the University of Delaware Blue Hens basketball team.
It hosted a campaign rally for Vice President Al Gore in 1996 and all or part of the 1997-2001 America East Conference men's basketball tournaments.
It also hosts other events, such as the WWE, music and comedy concerts, and craft fairs.
Famous quotes containing the words carpenter and/or center:
“He came home.”
—John Carpenter (b. 1948)
“The greatest part of each day, each year, each lifetime is made up of small, seemingly insignificant moments. Those moments may be cooking dinner...relaxing on the porch with your own thoughts after the kids are in bed, playing catch with a child before dinner, speaking out against a distasteful joke, driving to the recycling center with a week’s newspapers. But they are not insignificant, especially when these moments are models for kids.”
—Barbara Coloroso (20th century)