Why does the Rockne Memorial close for heat? That's a great question!
The Rockne Memorial Building was built in 1938 and does not have central air conditioning. Due to its beautiful terrazzo interior, and the location of the pool in the middle of the building, the Rockne retains heat exceptionally well. This is perfect for the cold South Bend winters, however, it also makes the temperatures inside the building climb during the summer months. Throughout the summer, RecSports staff diligently monitors the interior heat index of the building to ensure the safety of all staff and participants, and once that temperature gets too high, it is most important that we close the building for those same safety concerns.
We know that Rockne Memorial closing can be disappointing, and sometimes even disruptive to your workout routine. We appreciate your patience with us as we navigate heat waves and hot summer weather. If you're still looking to get some movement in your day, we encourage you to visit the Smith Center for Recreational Sports during our summer operating hours. Also know that even though we are closed, we continue to monitor the heat index inside the building so that when it becomes safe to play again, we can open as soon as possible.