Come on in and check out Midtown's destination
for aquatics, tennis, fitness, and social events
The Riviera Club was founded and incorporated on January 12, 1933 by esteemed Indianapolis businessman Mr. James H. Makin. Mr. Makin started the Club’s charter membership with pure social networking. He met with 10 friends at the nearby Butler University Campus Club and asked them each to bring 10 friends and request that each of their 10 friends do the same, and so the trend began. His goal was to meet the magic number 1,000 Members he needed.
The early 1930s were a trying period economically with the bank crisis and the Great Depression. Therefore many of the ten friends and their ten friends were unable to meet their pledge. Mrs. Makin saved the Club by putting up her life savings of $10,000 and became a full partner in the founding of the Riviera Club.
The groundbreaking took place on April 1, 1933. The building of the Clubhouse structure only took 48 days but flooding of the White River collapsed the forms for the walls of the big pool.
Fortunately, the pool did open on June 9, 1933 with Governor Paul V. McNutt and Indianapolis Mayor Reginald H. Sullivan in attendance. The purpose of the Club was broader than most private clubs as it was to provide social and recreational facilities, which could be enjoyed by all family Members regardless of age. The club started with dancing, gymnastics, shuffleboard tournaments, card parties, a camera club, and a bowling association that became one of the largest in the U.S. Of course, aquatics was the main focus.
In August of 1950, the Club purchased additional property. It now consists of 27 acres that play host to 4 outdoor pools, 2 indoor pools, 14 tennis courts, a gym and an enclosed picnic house. The main outdoor pool is one of the largest in the country, larger than a football field, and holds 1,290,000 gallons of water. On a hot, busy day over 50,000 gallons can evaporate. A diving tank with underwater windows was added in 1950.
Rivi has been a social centerpiece of Midtown for many decades. It is a place for everyone, a truly inclusive and unique club representative of the many diverse neighborhoods and individuals around us. Today the Riviera Club is a welcoming family-friendly environment for people of any background.
The Riviera Club | 5640 North Illinois Street | Indianapolis, Indiana 46208 | 317-255-547 | info@rivi.org
Join the Rivi email list! Just text RIVI to 22828 to get started.
for aquatics, tennis, fitness, and social events
The Riviera Club was founded and incorporated on January 12, 1933 by esteemed Indianapolis businessman Mr. James H. Makin. Mr. Makin started the Club’s charter membership with pure social networking. He met with 10 friends at the nearby Butler University Campus Club and asked them each to bring 10 friends and request that each of their 10 friends do the same, and so the trend began. His goal was to meet the magic number 1,000 Members he needed.
The early 1930s were a trying period economically with the bank crisis and the Great Depression. Therefore many of the ten friends and their ten friends were unable to meet their pledge. Mrs. Makin saved the Club by putting up her life savings of $10,000 and became a full partner in the founding of the Riviera Club.
The groundbreaking took place on April 1, 1933. The building of the Clubhouse structure only took 48 days but flooding of the White River collapsed the forms for the walls of the big pool.
Fortunately, the pool did open on June 9, 1933 with Governor Paul V. McNutt and Indianapolis Mayor Reginald H. Sullivan in attendance. The purpose of the Club was broader than most private clubs as it was to provide social and recreational facilities, which could be enjoyed by all family Members regardless of age. The club started with dancing, gymnastics, shuffleboard tournaments, card parties, a camera club, and a bowling association that became one of the largest in the U.S. Of course, aquatics was the main focus.
In August of 1950, the Club purchased additional property. It now consists of 27 acres that play host to 4 outdoor pools, 2 indoor pools, 14 tennis courts, a gym and an enclosed picnic house. The main outdoor pool is one of the largest in the country, larger than a football field, and holds 1,290,000 gallons of water. On a hot, busy day over 50,000 gallons can evaporate. A diving tank with underwater windows was added in 1950.
Rivi has been a social centerpiece of Midtown for many decades. It is a place for everyone, a truly inclusive and unique club representative of the many diverse neighborhoods and individuals around us. Today the Riviera Club is a welcoming family-friendly environment for people of any background.
The Riviera Club | 5640 North Illinois Street | Indianapolis, Indiana 46208 | 317-255-547 | info@rivi.org
Join the Rivi email list! Just text RIVI to 22828 to get started.
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