(June 2, 2016) Finding something everybody in Ocean Pines can agree on can be tricky.
One notion that’s nearly universal, however, is the widespread praise for the aquatics amenity, which has consistently shown positive numbers and won rave reviews from nearly all of the homeowners.
The most recent monthly financial report shows an improvement of more than $150,000 in revenues over last year, and profits of more than $30,000. Those are startling numbers when compared to the association’s other major amenities such as golf and the yacht clubs.
Aquatics Director Colby Phillips, who came on in 2014, credits her team with the improvement.
“We work very well together, and I have a lot of motivated people around me,” she said. “I have a very supportive boss who allows me to use the ideas I come up with, and we’ve really gotten an outreach to the public. We’ve also been very verbal on social media, which has been huge for us. A lot of people didn’t even know where we were before.”
Word of mouth and a slew of new programs has also helped the cause, from more swimming lessons and water exercise programs, to the new junior lifeguard program, which offers certifications for youth.
“We’re really just trying to reach all age groups and get the word out there,” Phillips said. “But I definitely give all the credit to the team around me, and a very supportive boss.”
More than 200 children have already participated in the junior lifeguard program, and Phillips said a third level of training would be added this summer.
“My aquatics supervisor, Kathleen Cook, came up with an officer program, which is completely different from what we’ve done,” Phillips said. “The kids coming back for the third time will actually be officers this year.”
Phillips said aquatics has expanded the swim lessons and are now targeting children with working parents.
“We have 10 WSI (water safety instructors) on staff, so we have very qualified swim instructors,” she said. “That’s the highest level of certification. Anyone can teach lessons, but they actually went through certification.”
The pools also offer “mermaid” parties, both public and private, and open to children and adults, where swimmers can wear removable tails and simulate swimming like mermaid.
Private parties of all kinds can also be booked at the Mumford’s Landing pool on Yacht Club Drive.
The Sports Core pool, on Cathell Road, will close on Monday, July 11 and undergo extensive renovations over the summer. The scheduled reopening is Sept. 12.
Improvements there include a two-foot shallow end, with entry stairs, Diamond Brite resurfacing of the inside surface of the pool, resurfacing of the entire deck, and a new slide.
“It’s getting quite a facelift. It’s going to be really, really nice,” Phillips said. “The original goal was to close in the winter, but we’re so busy in the winter time … we picked the two hottest months of the year where we’ll have four outdoor pools still open and people can still enjoy swimming.”
The offices at the Sports Core pool will remain open, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week to take registration for classes and other activities, as well as to answer questions.
“I really appreciate the support of the Ocean Pines community and the public,” Phillips said. “We’ve had a lot of support, and I thank everybody for coming out to our events and enjoying it, and for giving us the feedback to help us improve where we need to. The goal is always to keep moving forward.”
For more information on Ocean Pines Aquatics, call 410-641-5255, visit www.oceanpines.org or search “Ocean Pines Aquatics” on Facebook.
One notion that’s nearly universal, however, is the widespread praise for the aquatics amenity, which has consistently shown positive numbers and won rave reviews from nearly all of the homeowners.
The most recent monthly financial report shows an improvement of more than $150,000 in revenues over last year, and profits of more than $30,000. Those are startling numbers when compared to the association’s other major amenities such as golf and the yacht clubs.
Aquatics Director Colby Phillips, who came on in 2014, credits her team with the improvement.
“We work very well together, and I have a lot of motivated people around me,” she said. “I have a very supportive boss who allows me to use the ideas I come up with, and we’ve really gotten an outreach to the public. We’ve also been very verbal on social media, which has been huge for us. A lot of people didn’t even know where we were before.”
Word of mouth and a slew of new programs has also helped the cause, from more swimming lessons and water exercise programs, to the new junior lifeguard program, which offers certifications for youth.
“We’re really just trying to reach all age groups and get the word out there,” Phillips said. “But I definitely give all the credit to the team around me, and a very supportive boss.”
More than 200 children have already participated in the junior lifeguard program, and Phillips said a third level of training would be added this summer.
“My aquatics supervisor, Kathleen Cook, came up with an officer program, which is completely different from what we’ve done,” Phillips said. “The kids coming back for the third time will actually be officers this year.”
Phillips said aquatics has expanded the swim lessons and are now targeting children with working parents.
“We have 10 WSI (water safety instructors) on staff, so we have very qualified swim instructors,” she said. “That’s the highest level of certification. Anyone can teach lessons, but they actually went through certification.”
The pools also offer “mermaid” parties, both public and private, and open to children and adults, where swimmers can wear removable tails and simulate swimming like mermaid.
Private parties of all kinds can also be booked at the Mumford’s Landing pool on Yacht Club Drive.
The Sports Core pool, on Cathell Road, will close on Monday, July 11 and undergo extensive renovations over the summer. The scheduled reopening is Sept. 12.
Improvements there include a two-foot shallow end, with entry stairs, Diamond Brite resurfacing of the inside surface of the pool, resurfacing of the entire deck, and a new slide.
“It’s getting quite a facelift. It’s going to be really, really nice,” Phillips said. “The original goal was to close in the winter, but we’re so busy in the winter time … we picked the two hottest months of the year where we’ll have four outdoor pools still open and people can still enjoy swimming.”
The offices at the Sports Core pool will remain open, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week to take registration for classes and other activities, as well as to answer questions.
“I really appreciate the support of the Ocean Pines community and the public,” Phillips said. “We’ve had a lot of support, and I thank everybody for coming out to our events and enjoying it, and for giving us the feedback to help us improve where we need to. The goal is always to keep moving forward.”
For more information on Ocean Pines Aquatics, call 410-641-5255, visit www.oceanpines.org or search “Ocean Pines Aquatics” on Facebook.