They came for the pool. They found a place to belong.

Jennifer and Dave Cataldi didn’t exactly stumble upon The Rivi.

Their friends made sure of that.

After the Cataldis moved to the area, friends began what Jen jokingly calls a “full-court recruiting campaign.”

“Forget brochures — Rivi’s best salespeople are its members! After we moved to Midtown, our longtime Rivi friends were reminding us every chance they got that we needed to join.”

Then the family spent an evening at the pool.

“One Friday night at the pool as ‘guests,’ and that was it. We were completely sold,” she says. “Turns out they knew exactly what they were talking about!”

What They Were Really Looking For

The pool may have sealed the deal, but Jen and Dave were looking for something bigger when they joined.

“We hoped joining Rivi would give us more quality family time while also giving our kids the freedom to spread their wings and it has exceeded every expectation,” she says.

That combination has become one of their favorite parts of membership.

“There’s something magical about spending the day together, then watching [the kids] confidently branch out with their friends, proudly yell, ‘Mom! Dad! Watch this!’ before their latest high dive, and eventually wander over to the beach stand to order dinner all on their own. It’s the perfect mix of family time and newfound independence.”

Sometimes that independence comes with candy.

One hot Friday evening, their 5-year-old Jack and his crew marched up to the Beach Stand, ordered sour candy on their own house accounts and settled in poolside like seasoned regulars.

“The parents couldn’t stop laughing as we watched this group of tiny ‘grown-ups’ enjoying their treats...while quietly wondering how a Friday-night sugar rush was going to affect bedtime!” Jen says.

It’s a funny Rivi moment, but for the Cataldis, it represents something more.

“It’s been incredible to watch Jack’s love of the water grow, but even more rewarding has been seeing his confidence blossom,” she says. “Watching him stroll around the pool deck with his friends, feeling completely at home, is one of those moments that reminds us why we joined.”

What Happens When Summer Ends?

For many families, the outdoor pool is their introduction to The Rivi. Summer makes the appeal easy to understand: swimming, friends, dinner by the pool and kids asking if they can come back again tomorrow.

But look beyond the pool to what the Cataldis were really hoping to find: more quality family time. A place where their kids could be active and gain some independence. Opportunities to spend time with friends and make new ones. A community where their family felt comfortable and welcome.

None of those things is defined by the time of year.

The indoor pool keeps Members in the water year-round. The Fitness Center and group exercise classes keep Members moving. Basketball and tennis continue. Mahjong, Euchre and other new and growing groups gather. Kids and families have programs and events that bring them back to the Club throughout the year.

And sometimes the reason to come to The Rivi is simply knowing there will be something to do and someone you know when you get there.

In fact, they are already discovering parts of Rivi life beyond the pool. Jen says their oldest can usually be found in the gym playing pickup basketball with his buddies.

And it all connects to something else that surprised her, she says.

“For a ‘private club,’ Rivi is one of the most welcoming places we’ve ever been. There’s nothing stuffy or exclusive about it. Instead, it feels like a community that’s genuinely happy you’re there. From day one, we felt right at home, and that’s a big part of what makes Rivi so special.”

Just Come See It

Count the Cataldis in on those “full-court recruiting campaigns.” Jen’s advice to friends and neighbors considering membership is clear.

“If you’re thinking about joining, our advice is simple: just come see it for yourself!”

She suggests spending an afternoon by the pool, grabbing dinner at the Beach Stand — with the “bonus of no cooking or dishes” — and stopping by the gym.

Then, just take in what’s happening around you.

“As the sun sets, you’ll see families heading home with tired, happy kids. And if your crew is anything like ours, they’ll already be asking, ‘Can we come back tomorrow?’”

For Jen and Dave, one Friday night as guests was enough to answer that question.

They came back.

And while the pool may have brought the Cataldis to The Rivi, what they found was something bigger: a place for their family to spend time together, for their kids to grow and for all of them to belong.

All year long.

Learn more about Rivi membership.