All seven squash courts in the Berry Sports Center were closed yesterday for renovations that will take until mid-September to complete.
Five of the seven courts are being widened by two-and-a-half feet to comply with international standards.
The United States Squash Racquet Association will recognize International Softball as the official squash game, beginning in 1997, replacing the current North American Hardball.
Friends of Dartmouth Squash is providing the funding for the project.
Courts two, three, four, five and the exhibition court will be converted. Courts one and six will not be renovated due to structural limitations.
The Alumni Gymnasium squash courts will remain open during the renovations.
Squash coach Chris Brownell said she plans to "phase in" the use of the newly remodeled courts.
"We'd much rather play and practice on the wider courts because the international courts, which are wider and longer than the American standard, give you a better practice and better results when you play on American courts," Brownell said.
She added that the renovation will be "really big" for the Ivy League, which will create a "squash mecca" on the East Coast.
Members of the team are pleased with the renovations too.
"Everyone on the team wanted to switch over to the international courts," squash team member Alex Ferries '96 said.
"Next year we'll be using the older courts, but our coach wanted to give everyone a headstart in getting used to them."