By Greg Ellison

Staff Writer

(Oct. 3, 2019) Groundbreaking for the 7,200-square-foot clubhouse at the Ocean Pine Golf Course took place Tuesday, and by all accounts construction is slated to wind up in time for a grand opening in May.

In April, the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors approved the building project at a peak cost of $1.6 million, with the Whayland Company from Laurel, Delaware overseeing construction.

OPA President Doug Parks said the design and planning phases were completed with assistance from residents with prior building experience.

“We’re really trying to push the construction team to stick to the May 1 timeframe,” he said. “We’re hoping that, weather-wise, we can continue to hold to that commitment.”

Parks said preparation and planning for the single-story structure were facilitated in-house.

“We had a group of folks from Ocean Pines who had that expertise to pull together as a work group to share ideas helping the planning effort,” he said. “Rather than signing a contact and just letting the contractor do what they want to.”

Board member Frank Daly said the pre-build process went smoothly, based on input from community-based construction experts such as Marvin Steen, Bill Stamp and Frank Brown.

“So far, all the reports are it’s on schedule and on cost and that’s exactly what we want in our projects,” he said.

Salisbury architectural firm Davis, Bowen and Friedel Inc. was retained to develop site plans, following the razing of the former two-story building by Absolute Demolition of Ocean City in May.

Daly said this endeavor appears to be trending in the right direction, unlike an earlier failed construction project at the Yacht Club.

“I’m looking for this project being done correct, complete, on time and on cost,” he said.

In addition to a large meeting room, the new clubhouse will also provide more room for the Tern Grille restaurant, along with an outdoor deck, pro shop and club-fitting area.

Steen said he anticipates the work will meet budgeting goals and estimated delivery schedule.

“They used a lot of people that live in the Pines to get this thing done,” he said. “They’re going to be under budget and

Photo courtesy: Ocean Pines Association
Tossing the dirt during an official groundbreaking ceremony for the new Ocean Pine Golf Course clubhouse, from left, Board members Larry Perrone and Frank Daly, OPA president Doug Parks, vice president Steve Tuttle, Board member Dr. Colette Horn and OPLGA President Ann Shockley.

under time.”

Espousing the power of positive thinking, Parks said the new clubhouse should be opened by May.

“Quite frankly, one of the things we mentioned is being able to hold the May board meeting in the new clubhouse,” he said. “As far as the design [and] the planning, it’s been … done well and we’ve set ourselves up on being able to deliver on May 1.”