June 6, 2019

Community celebrates Rinderknecht Athletic Center opening

Endorsing Wellness

Just across the street from the Robert W. Plaster Athletic Complex sits the new Rinderknecht Athletic Center—Mount Mercy’s state-of-the-art wellness and athletic performance center.

The dynamic training facility and recreational fitness resource serves Mount Mercy’s 500+ student-athletes and 2,100+ students, faculty and staff.

Located at 939 17th Street NE, the transformed warehouse houses batting cages, golf hitting and putting greens, a sprint track, an athletic training room, fitness/cardio/weight equipment, a dynamic movement area for yoga, and more.

Renovations to the space included a new HVAC system and new flooring, roof, siding, and windows that look onto the athletic complex. The neighboring building, formerly the Barry K. Wendt building, is also a new addition to Mustang athletics and houses administrative offices.

“The Rinderknecht Athletic Center is truly a game-changer at Mount Mercy and will make a tremendous impact on the Hill.”

The renovation was made possible through a substantial gift from John Rinderknecht, Mount Mercy trustee and president of Ram Development Company.

To celebrate the opening in early June, members and leaders of the University and Cedar Rapids communities gathered at the site and held a short program.

“The Rinderknecht Athletic Center is truly a game-changer at Mount Mercy and will make a tremendous impact on the Hill,” said Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Brenda Haefner ’96. “We are so grateful to John Rinderknecht for his decades of service to Mount Mercy and his investment in this incredible new facility for our community!”