The Aqua Turf Club: Then and Now
A Recreational Family Club
In 1969, Joe and Kay Calvanese started the Aqua-Turf Club as a retirement project. Recently retired from Calvanese Nursery, a family-owned landscaping business Joe started with his father and brother, Tony, Joe chose to retain the property on Mulberry Street—land that once served as growing fields for the nursery. Joe and Kay’s vision was to transform the peaceful 35-acre stretch of trees and shrubs in Plantsville, Connecticut, into a recreational family club. To help clear the land, Joe held a "dig your own tree" sale, offering Christmas trees for just 50 cents each.
In the early days, the club offered family summer memberships which included access to a nine-hole golf course, tennis courts, bocce, and a pond with a diving board. Each summer brought new additions: a sandy beach, a playground, and a pavilion with charcoal grills. What began as a passion project evolved into a thriving community hub serving nearly 200 families, with seasonal memberships ranging from $140 to $160.
The First Wedding
The venue’s charm and family atmosphere quickly made it a popular setting for celebrations. In the early 1970s, the first wedding reception was held under the club’s pavilion—Christine Gasecki and Joe Szabo were the club’s first bride and groom. In July 1974, a sudden rainstorm interrupted the wedding of Kathy and Ed Reinhard. This prompted Joe Sr. and his sons, Joe Jr. and Chris Sr., to enclose the pavilion in plastic—an early testament to the family’s commitment to making events unforgettable.
By 1976, the Glass Room was added, accommodating up to 150 guests, built where the original outdoor bar once stood. In 1980, the Wagon Room followed, expanding capacity to over 250 guests.
In-House Catering Comes to Aqua Turf
That same year marked a turning point in Aqua Turf’s event capabilities. Prior to 1980, guests brought in their own caterers and liquor for events. Recognizing an opportunity to provide better experiences for guests, Joe Sr. purchased catering equipment from Waterbury chefs Peter Smith and Armand Diana. He also hired both chefs and their staff to provide in-house catering for all Aqua Turf events. Smith trained Joe Sr. in front-of-house operations and later served as general manager for nearly 40 years. Diana, a Waldorf-trained chef and former instructor at Eli Whitney School, mentored Chris Calvanese Sr., who would go on to become the club’s executive chef. Armand passed away in 1982, but his culinary legacy lives on.
Construction of Kay's Pier
The growing demand for event facilities led to the construction of Kay’s Pier in the mid-1980s, named in honor of Kay Calvanese, who passed away in 1982. This elegant space featured a removable partition wall, ideal for hosting trade shows, conventions, and large banquets. Today, the hedges surrounding Kay’s Pier are living reminders—original trees from the nursery era.
With each addition, Aqua Turf Club set new standards in the event industry, becoming renowned for its exceptional food, impeccable service, and unforgettable celebrations. Over the years, a tightly knit team of chefs, service staff, and event professionals helped solidify its unmatched reputation throughout Connecticut and Southern New England.
What began as a retirement dream has grown into one of the region’s most beloved banquet facilities. Still family-owned and operated by Joe Jr. and Chris Calvanese, the Aqua Turf Club continues to uphold the values Joe and Kay Calvanese envisioned, creating a beautiful place for families and friends to gather, celebrate, and make lifelong memories.
Over 50 years strong, and still going, Aqua Turf Club is proud to be a part of Connecticut’s most cherished moments.