Notre Dame launches new boathouse for rowing teams

SOUTH BEND — The University of Notre Dame’s new St. Joseph River boathouse initially upset some neighbors but could ultimately benefit the public along with the school’s rowing teams.

The new boathouse, off Northside Boulevard between Howard Park and the South Bend Farmer’s Market, serves the women’s varsity rowing team and the men’s club rowing team. The teams started moving into the new structure in December, and their first official practice took place on Jan. 30.

When it debuted, the boathouse was outlined with bright lights. Martin Stone, head coach of the women’s rowing team, said the look was patterned after Boathouse Row in Philadelphia and some other boathouses across the nation.

But after neighbors complained about the brightness, the lights were scaled back to illuminate just the porch and a dimmer switch was installed, allowing the lights to be turned lower, Martin said, while noting they are usually left off.

Penny Krug, who lives across the river in Edgewater Park, said she no longer has a problem with the lights.

“I’ve adjusted to it,” she said. “It really doesn’t bother me that much. … The porch lights aren’t really that bad. It is actually pretty with all the lights on — it can just be pretty bright when you’re not used to having anything across the river and all of the sudden you have a flood of lights.

“As long as they don’t light it up like it’s a miniature hotel, it’s OK.”

The new boathouse, which spans almost 15,000 square feet, is equipped with locker rooms, team rooms, storage areas and indoor rowing machines. It also has a public restroom on the exterior, and plans are in the works for a floating pier that also will be open to the public.

John Heisler, senior associate athletics director for the university, said the old boathouse, close by the new one, was turned over to the South Bend Scullers and Paddlers about a month ago.

Heisler said the university’s athletics department has been working with the South Bend Parks and Recreation Department, as well as the YMCA and the Boys & Girls Club of St. Joseph County, to make rowing a more popular pastime in the community.

“This is a unique facility,” Heisler said. “The vast majority of our athletic facilities are in the middle of campus. Obviously, this one is not. It’s in town in a much more public setting. It’s been part of the plan to figure out a way to provide additional uses to it beyond our team.”

Ted Beatty, president of the South Bend Scullers and Paddlers, said the group will begin using the old boathouse this week. With improved storage space, he said, he believes the group can open up rowing and paddling opportunities to more people over the next year.

ncaratas@sbtinfo.com