April 2016
Manklin Meadows racquet courts remain in limbo The Board of Directors has abandoned the master plan approved last year for redevelopment of the Manklin Creek Recreation Complex with a multitude of new racquet sports courts – at least for now – and is proceeding instead only with plans for reconfiguring the playground, community gardens and parking lot. But, they also want to “investigate” the possibility of repurposing tennis courts for pickleball and building an alternate version of platform tennis courts. ~ Page 8
Directors approve proceeding with new Beach Club bathrooms With the Ocean Pines Association preparing to release a request for proposals for renovating the lower level bathrooms at the Beach Club in Ocean City, or building new bathrooms in a separate, standalone building, the Board of Directors declined to allow one potential contractor to discuss the options in detail at a March 24 meeting. Directors unanimously approved moving forward with the project, with construction to begin in the fall and with the goal of having it ready for use by members in the summer of 2017. ~ Page 11
GM, property owner exchange verbal barbs at town meeting
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THE OCEAN PINES JOURNAL OF NEWS & COMMENTARY COVER STORY
Country Club study from 2011 agnostic on ‘renovate or replace’ options, despite Thompson claim Becker-Morgan study indicated building was structurally sound five years ago, but that systems in the building – heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing– needed to be replaced By TOM STAUSS Publisher ack in February, as the Board of Directors was finalizing the 201627 budget that goes into effect May 1, there was considerable debate over what to do about the aging Ocean Pines Country Club, with no clear consensus on whether a major renovation or a tear-down and rebuild would make the most sense. In the end, the directors opted to authorize $80,000 for an engineering study to update one completed in 2011 on the condition of the building, along with another $30,000 for cosmetic im-
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provements to the building. The motion passed 5-2, with Directors Dave Stevens and Jack Collins opposed, apparently because they believe the money could be better spent focusing on renovation. Stevens, Collins and Director Tom Herrick seem to be in the camp that says a new building inevitably will cost much more than a renovation. They also are not keen on the replacement option because it would eliminate space available for activities and meetings that can’t be accommodated in the Community Center. During board discussion, Thompson told the directors that the 2011 study by
NEWS ANALYSIS Becker-Morgan architectural firm “said replace it. The engineers (in the study) are saying replace it. We don’t want to keep putting money into it if we’re going to replace it.” None of the directors who were advocating renovation of the building challenged Thompson’s assertion that that the 2011 study recommended replacement. But according to former OPA Director Marty Clarke, the report didn’t do that. Clarke said the 2011 report by Becker-Morgan recommended replaceTo Page 27
Clearly irritated that an audience member challenged his version of the truth related to Ocean Pines Association matters, General Manager Bob Thompson threatened to ask him to leave his Town Hall meeting on March 8. Instead, the property owner, Steve Lind, a long-time resident and fixture at OPA meetings, walked out on his own. But not before the two engaged in a lively debate over parking of boat trailers, Yacht Club expenses, the proposed food truck, and accusations by Thompson that Lind had called him a liar. ~ Page 17
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After weeks of relatively mild early spring weather, Ocean Pines residents were treated to snow when they awoke on the morning of April 5, with flurries continuing to about noon. The snow had pretty much melted by day’s end. George Ball photo
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