By Greg Ellison

(Jan. 28, 2021) With the current budget year getting closer to its conclusion, and net operating favorability projected to eclipse $600,000, the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors approved nearly $300,000 in capital expenditures last Wednesday.

Of that tally, more than $160,000 is earmarked for proposed upgrades at the Manklin Meadows Racquet Sports Complex.

General Manager John Viola provided separate estimates to install four pickleball courts, a junior tennis court and associated fencing for both projects during the board meeting on Jan. 20.

Terra Firma submitted the lowest bid for the pickleball court expansion at $67,895.

“It’s not in this year’s budget but [we] are recommending to include it,” he said.

Director Doug Parks asked if there would be remaining space for additional pickleball courts at the racquet complex in the future.

Viola said while the current expansion would be adjacent to the existing pickleball courts further growth at that location is limited.

“Where we put these, that’s basically filled,” he said.

Terra Firma was also the low bidder, at $66,000, to build a junior tennis court located behind platform tennis courts five and six.

Viola said the junior tennis court would offer a new marketing element and could increase revenue for the racquet center.

Lastly, the winning bids for associated fencing work was awarded to Nanticoke Fence at just over $14,000 for the pickleball courts and $12,000 for the junior tennis court.

“We have worked with them before,” he said.

Viola said the cost could be taken from current year budget’s excess above expenses and would not affect assessment rates.

The board also signed off on purchasing pair of 2021 Chevrolet Tahoes for the Police Department, including both two-and four-wheel-drive models.

Viola said one police vehicle had been previously approved for the current year budget but was put on hold until the need became greater.

“Both vehicles need major repairs,” he said.

The new vehicles will replace the police department’s oldest rides, including a 2011 ford Expedition with 176,000 miles that is suffering major engine problems and a 2014 Ford Explorer with 143,000 miles also in need of major repairs.

With plans already in place to include the second vehicle in the pending fiscal 2021-22 budget, Viola said approving the purchase now would allow the funds to be spent a few months earlier than planned.

“They do buy them through a state program,” he said. “They need it.”

Viola said repaving work, following the razing of the old craft building in White Horse Park, is ready to begin at an estimated cost of $59,500.

“It was in the budget this year for about $35,000,” he said.

Despite selecting the lowest of three prices received, Viola said following the pandemic onset and subsequent rise in material costs, earlier estimates fell flat.

The White Horse Park campus parking lot has 44 spaces presently, with the renovation boosting the count to 64.

Work is slated to begin after providing season allowances, Viola said.

“Due to asphalt plants closing for winter, we’ll be paving in early spring when they reopen,” he said.

In reply to a question from Director Doug Parks, Viola noted the renovation includes parking areas currently blacktopped and would not include the stone lot located just past the police station.