Membership sales poured in at high rates during May as summer season begins

By Greg Ellison

(July 8, 2021) Ocean Pines appears to be springing back to life in the aftermath of covid-19 with amenity memberships higher than average through May and revamped beautification efforts underway.

General Manager John Viola said revenues from pool memberships and beach parking leveled off during June after starting strong this spring.

“Some of it was timing where we would have had some of those memberships in June, because people came and bought them early,” he said.

Viola attributed the early buy-in to pent-up demand following the covid-19 pandemic.

“We figure when the two months are combined, we will still be favorable,” he said.

As for individual amenities, Viola said the Aquatics Department has noted a sharp uptick in the number of swimmers using the pool facilities.

The Ocean Pines Golf Course has also experienced a surge in play.

“I went by yesterday and asked about the number of rounds,” he said. “You can just see it compared to other years … they’re up.”

Viola said course action started subpar during May, but after a soggy Memorial Day Weekend, greens and fairways have been packed.

“The course is in the best shape in all of the years that I’ve been down here,” he said.

Also on the upswing this year are tennis and pickleball competition at the Manklin Meadows Racquet Sports Complex.

“Racquet sports is doing well,” he said.

The Matt Ortt Companies, the association’s food and beverage contractor, have also witnessed a strong turnaround from 2020.

“Matt Ortt has booked a high dollar number of banquets,” he said.

The return of weekend musical offerings without capacity restrictions at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club has also drawn healthy crowds.

“They have signed up some really good bands,” he said.

The Clubhouse Bar and Grille has also gained in popularity this year.

“If you go in there on Sunday morning, between the breakfast and the golfers, it’s packed,” he said.

Aesthetical upgrades are also underway with a large batch of cherry blossom trees recently planted at the South Gate Pond near Veterans Memorial Park.

Viola said roughly 120 cherry blossoms were purchased through the Public Works Department in lieu of annual plantings at the Beach Club.

“Last year, with covid, I reallocated money we usually spend on palm trees,” he said.

Overseeing the recent tree installations were Public Works Director Eddie Wells and Public Works Operations Manager Nobie Violante.

“Everybody liked it and we consulted with the [Ocean Pines] Garden Club,” he said.

The initial rounds of cherry blossoms are rooting by the South Gate Pond along the walkway closest to Route 589.

“We got the same ones as in D.C.,” he said.

Flowering cherry trees generally grow up to two-feet annually.

The beautification campaign is slated to continue in subsequent years with continued assistance from Public Works staff and Garden Club members.

“They’re going to come back and give me some ideas for the North Gate Pond,” he said. “Right now we want to get more money for cherry blossom trees to finish out the two ponds.”

Besides financial considerations, future plantings will be delayed until Mother Nature is more accommodating.

“Right now it’s a tough time to plant,” he said.

Viola said updates on costs and ideal locations would be forthcoming later this year.

“We will have some maintenance work to clear growth,” he said.

From all indicators, Ocean Pines amenities are back to previous form as covid considerations gradually fade from the collective conscious.

“Amenities are popping off after covid,” he said. “It’s firing on all cylinders.”