Ocean Pines Board during December 2024 board meeting

By Cindy Hoffman, Staff Writer

(Dec. 21, 2023) The Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors on Saturday voted unanimously to approve spending for priority projects, including the irrigation system for the golf course, the first of four electronic signs, renovations to the racquet sports building, the tiki bar at the yacht club, a pavilion at the veterans memorial and card readers for beach club bathrooms.

The board authorized spending $934,000 on a new irrigation system for the golf course. The current irrigation system is between 30 and 50 years old, according to General Manager John Viola. If the cost had been greater than $1 million, the board would have been required to put the decision to referendum by the residents.

Phase One of the project will include pump stations at fairways one and nine plus the range. The bulk of the work will occur between November 2024 and March 2025.

For the sign project, the board agreed to spend $22,000 on the first of four electronic signs to replace the lettered signs that appear throughout the community. Three bids were received from a request for proposals that went out to contractors in November.

The first sign will be placed at the north gate bridge and will fit within the current sign structure. Viola estimated it will take six to eight weeks to install the sign.

Director Steve Jacobs asked if it was possible to negotiate a cheaper price for the additional signs. Viola replied that he would negotiate with Phillips Signs in that regard, but added that the price of the first sign was very reasonable.

Renovating the racquet sports building will focus on the bathrooms, pro shop, office and storage at a cost of $140,000. The Whayland Company and Public Works Department staff will complete the project. Viola said he hopes permitting will start for the project in January or February.

Over at the Yacht Club, the tiki bar at will be expanded before Memorial Day at a cost of $197,500. The expansion will provide 24 square feet of additional bar space and is expected to enhance the customer experience. This will provide 20 additional feet on both the pool and patio side of the bar. Public Works Department staff and an outside contractor will do the work. Additional bartenders will be hired for next season.

In approving the expenditure of $50,000, the board agreed to match the Worcester County Veterans Memorial payment of $50,000 to build a new gazebo on the grounds of the memorial. The gazebo, which will be similar to the one at White Horse Park, will be owned by the association.

Lastly, the board agreed to spend $5,430 for card readers for the beach club bathrooms.