Century Center (South Bend) facts for kids

The Century Center Convention Center is a large building in South Bend, Indiana, USA. It was designed by famous architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee. Construction started in 1974, and it opened its doors in 1977. Since 2013, a company called SMG has managed the center.

The Century Center is built right next to the West Race canal. It also has great views of the St. Joseph River in downtown South Bend. This center has over 75,000 square feet (about 7,000 square meters) of space for events. It's also connected to Island Park, a beautiful 11-acre (4.5-hectare) park along the river. You can walk to the park using a special bridge over the canal.

Inside, the Century Center has a large Convention Hall that is 25,000 square feet (2,300 square meters). This hall can be divided into two smaller areas. There's also a 12,000 square foot (1,100 square meter) Discovery Ballroom, which can also be split in half.

The Great Hall at Century Center is 16,000 square feet (1,500 square meters). It has a huge 30-foot (9-meter) glass wall. This wall offers amazing views of the St. Joseph River. The center also has 18 meeting rooms. These rooms can be set up in over 35 different ways. A special area for guests to gather before events is on the lower level.

The Century Center is connected to a 300-room Doubletree Hotel. You can get there through a covered walkway. The building also houses the South Bend Museum of Art. It used to be connected by a tunnel to the former College Football Hall of Fame.

What You'll Find at Century Center

The Century Center has many features that make it a great place for events. It offers a lot of space and modern services.

Event Spaces

• Great Hall: This large room is 16,600 square feet.
• Convention Halls: There are 36,500 square feet of open space. These halls have no columns, making them very flexible.
• Meeting Suites: Eighteen smaller rooms total 17,600 square feet.
• Bendix Theatre: A theater with 694 fixed seats for performances.
• Recital Hall: A smaller hall with 166 fixed seats.
• Pre-Function Areas: Spaces for people to gather before events start.

Services and Amenities

• Internet Access: The center has high-speed WiFi.
• Media Services: Equipment and support for presentations and shows.
• Food and Drinks: They offer in-house catering. This includes a special area for preparing Kosher food.
• Parking: There's a parking lot next to the center with 350 spaces.
• Loading Docks: Easy access for bringing in equipment for events.
• Hotel Connections: It's connected to a 300-room Doubletree Hotel. Other hotels are also nearby.
• Events Hosted: The center hosts about 650 events each year. Over 250,000 people visit annually.

Popular Events Held Here

The Century Center hosts many different kinds of events. These include big shows, conventions, business meetings, and even weddings. Some popular events that are open to the public every year include:

• Michiana Home Show
• Michiana Boat and Outdoor Show
• Valley RV & Camping Show