By Greg Ellison

(March 17, 2022) Ocean Pines Racquet Sports Committee members met last Thursday to review pending business as warmer weather begins to seep into the region.

Committee Chairman Rhett Parsons said a new racquet sport option is planned for this spring.

“The official Spec Tennis Club in Ocean Pines has been approved,” he said.

Spec Tennis, which incorporates aspects of tennis, platform tennis and pickleball, features an underhand serve for less shoulder stress and is promoted as easier to learn than comparable sports.

Turning to center wide issues, Parsons said maintenance work to repair court cracks is still in the plans.

“We’re still waiting for vendors to give us solid bids,” he said.

Similar issues are also at play for an installation of additional pickleball courts at the Manklin Meadows Racquet Sports Complex.

Photo by Greg Ellison
Ocean Pines Racquet Sports Committee members reviewed pending repairs and future promotions during its meeting last Thursday.

“For the pickleball courts, we sent five bids out and got one in,” he said.

Four additional pickleball courts have been planned next to existing court number 10.

To add insult to injury, the sole bid received was incomplete, Parsons said, adding that subsequent vendor solicitations intended to separate stormwater control issues from the construction aspect of the project.

In terms of court surface crack repairs, Parsons said the work is still on pace for completion this spring as weather becomes warmer.

“We definitely have plenty of them to be repaired,” he said.

Parsons said a list of maintenance needs has been provided to Recreation and Parks Director Debbie Donahue, who is conferring the Public Works to complete in-house tasks.

Parsons said committee members are still researching the possibility of a number of new promotions this season, with firm plans yet to come into focus.

Other points Parsons mentioned included promoting the presence of Racquet Sports Complex Manager Madison McLain.

“We really need a strong presence, especially as the season kicks off,” he said.

Parsons said McLain should become a familiar site to residents and racquet center members.

“We need to give her an opportunity to interact,” he said.

In terms of other jobs McLain is overseeing, Parsons said work is being completed on a center calendar for the 2022 season.

Parsons is also consulting with Strategic Planning Committee Chair Bernie McGorry to create a survey for racquet center members

“We would like to form a subcommittee to create the survey, with members of each sport to help craft questions,” he said.

The next Racquet Sports Committee is scheduled on April 14 at 4 p.m.