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I think it’s West Westfield Boulevard…west of Meridian Street.
Thanks, Jo Ellen.
Actually, their web site says “5640 N. Illinois.”
Paying a GM $150k per year to guide a sinking ship is ludicrous.
Just close it.
Speak for yourself
sounds like he sees the handwriting on the wall here.
He was the cause of the failure?
Make it a server farm and use the pool water to cool the computers.
The problem is and has always been marketing. I bet most people reading this and commenting have never been to or even heard of the place. I’ve lived within a mile of it for 30+ years and I know most people in my area haven’t either but it has a long history. Its a remarkable facility but they damaged themselves with discriminatory membership practices that didn’t end until the early 80’s and since have never been able to build the membership required to support such a large facility. The financial problems probably stem from renovating their pools and clubhouse in recent years, which was sorely needed and had to cost millions (unfortunately, because of its size, I think the outside pool still isn’t heated). But raising prices will only hurt their membership numbers and lead to further decline. I hope they survive because it is really a great facility for families but they need to make it financially feasible for them. They need a massive membership drive and promotion way more than raising the cost.
those practices did not fully end until 2019…
Been there, done that…cool place in the summer at least to swim, play tennis, etc.. I’m not a member but I live nearby and hope the Riv finds a way through . Better messaging, marketing, and some retooling needed. We’re still talking about a great location and neighborhood. The Riviera still has an “exclusivity” label it needs to lose…not to mention the discriminatory practices of the past. Despite changes, I’m not sure if the Riv will ever be able to shake that off. Name change? An occasional open house to let people see what they might be missing? Wish them the best.
Who’s leading the campaign drive to secure donations (above and beyond the $1,500) from the Indy northside ‘wealthy’ families who’ve enjoyed Rivi over their lifetimes and see the value it delivers to the community? Surely there would be families that donate if asked.
If they fail (which is likely the case if they attempt to price their way out of debt), the city should buy it. It would make a great public pool and facility – they have plenty of parking and I believe some sports fields as well (or used to). Given its size, Its much more suited for that than a private club with a dwindling membership priced at a point most average families are unwilling to pay. It’s not worthy of country club pricing (which I think they see themselves as)
No, the City shouldn’t. I’m not sure why that’s always the knee jerk proposal of a solution. Especially in an area like this. It should simply be bought, reasoned, and repurposed or redeveloped as desired by the new owner.
Murray- exactly. In any comment section in any media it is always “they” should fix it up! “They” of course meaning other people’s tax money. I am also perplexed by the mysterious “rich people on the north side” that would allegedly donate money to a facility they have never heard of.
Obviously the product and business plan no longer work. The facility looks like a maintenance $ nightmare and is probably bumping into functional obsolescence
This is not some historical site that should be preserved. Put it on the open market and move on.
Greg S – great idea!!!!!!!
Hey Murray R…..booooooo on you!!!!!!!!
Did Micah get a new screen name?
It really has come down to marketing and pricing. The discriminatory practice which ended 46 years ago was pretty similar to many other clubs in Indianapolis, but it was more noticeable (and harmful) at the time due to its size. And feelings understandably run long. To the current problem: It was a bargain of a place in the 70s and 80s due to its low monthly fees, but should have increased them gradually to better handle reserves. I can’t help but think that with a walking-distance neighborhood the size of Meridian-Kessler/Butler-Tarkington, that a return to a lower fee structure AND a massive marketing push an increase in the number of members back up to good levels would occur. More than a few hundred dollars a year for a single person to swim two or three times in the summer (which is what quite a few people do) is too much. Is $1400 the right number for a family when North Willow and other community pools charge a few hundred (yes, Rivi offers much more). I’m not sure where you strike the balance. But it is there somewhere.
The right balance might be more elusive than you think. You are proposing a “massive marketing campaign”, which comes at a cost, and a lower fee structure for a business model that is already under water (pun intended) How many new members would be needed just to get revenue back to status quo and then how many new members would it take to address the maintenance issues? Would that massive membership influx affect the quality of the experience?
Beyond all that, I wonder if this isn’t just a dead model?
I think there might be some romanticized images of parents and kids walking to a day at the pool that just doesn’t happen any more.