One of college sports’ most unusual facilities is getting a makeover, though Cousens Gymnasium at Tufts will retain its most unusual feature.

The most noteworthy change is that the basketball court, which is shorter than 94 feet long, is being rotated 90 degrees to lengthen it, therefore making the gymnasium eligible to host Division III postseason basketball competition.

The renovation also includes improvement of handicapped accessibility and other modernization work, but the gym will retain its long stairways at the front of the arena leading to locker rooms located high above the gymnasium’s floor.

Cousens Gymnasium was one of several college sports venues included in a 2005 feature in The NCAA News about “one-of-a-kind” facilities. Built in 1932, the gym long was considered New England’s premier arena with its high, vaulted roof and bench seating.

“Cousens first opened in the depths of the Great Depression,” said Tufts President Lawrence S. Bacow. “Its construction then reflected Tufts’ commitment to its students and to sports and fitness. Our decision to go ahead with this renovation now, in difficult economic times, reflects the same commitment.”

The basketball court, built to 1930s high school specifications, prevented the Tufts men’s basketball team from hosting a Division III tournament game when it qualified for the championship for the first time in 1995 – just two years after the New England Small College Athletic Conference lifted its ban on postseason competition.

More recently, the women’s basketball team was unable to host tournament games in the gymnasium because of the short court.

“I think all of us on the team are really excited about the gym renovation, not just because it’ll be nice to have newer and updated facilities,” said women’s basketball team tri-captain Vanessa Miller. “We’re all looking forward to the possibility of actually being able to play some of the biggest games of our season in front of a home crowd, and the advantage that comes with that.”

The university’s women’s volleyball team, which hosted Division III regional competition in the gym last fall, is scheduled to open the renovated venue at its September 18 home opener against Wesleyan.

“Cousens Gym is one of the truly distinctive basketball and volleyball facilities in the nation,” said Bill Gehling, Tufts director of athletics. “We believe that these modifications will enhance the playing and viewing experience while maintaining the feel of his historic venue.”

Paul Sweeney, Tufts sports information director, provided information for this article. He wrote about the renovation of Cousens Gymnasium in the Tufts Journal.