By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

Despite the ongoing winter weather in Ocean Pines, the community’s aquatics advisory committee continues to meet, brainstorming ways to improve the neighborhood’s five pools when the sun starts to heat up.

The group met on Thursday, Jan. 16, where Gary Miller, the committee’s chair, reiterated priorities and initiatives the body is looking at this season. For instance, the steps at the Mumford’s Landing and Yacht Club pools continue to be a slipping hazard.

Miller said that last year, his team suggested that the association leaders replace the metal ladders with less slick plastic or install non-slip tape. He maintained that pool personnel did take a ladder out, dried it off, put the tape on it, and put it back in the pool. Further work is required to ensure the material works properly.

“Apparently, there needs to be a curing plan for the tape, so we were told that that would be done over the winter,” Miller said.

The chair added that he intends to follow up with the aquatic advisory team’s board liaison, OPA Board of Directors Vice President Rick Farr, to ensure that the task is on track for completion.

Miller also pointed to an ongoing issue at the Beach Club: non-pool members using the restrooms. Bathroom attendants and cameras have been implemented to remedy the problem, but the chair said that “none of that was working well.” A swipe card was tossed out as a suggestion for restroom entry and providing access to the pool to mitigate lines.

Committee members mentioned that a physical card would not be needed. Residents could instead use the QR code they are given when purchasing their aquatics membership.

“We will work on that as an additional suggestion [to the board],” Miller said.

The committee chair again raised the possibility of holding an evening class at Mumford’s Landing Pool despite the association’s denial. Miller noted that before the COVID-19 pandemic, an aerobics class was held at 6 p.m. at Mumford’s Landing, with an additional charge for participants to cover the cost of having a lifeguard on site.

Miller said that his group suggested bringing the after-hours activity back but did not get much feedback from the board and staff, other than that OPA Aquatics Director Michelle Hitchens would not support the idea and that there were concerns regarding the cost.

The chair emphasized that the previous program garnered much interest and that the “fees more than paid for the lifeguard and instructor.” He added that he believes the community should offer the class anyway, and if there is not enough response, cancel it before it incurs an expenditure for the community.

Others on the committee pointed out that people oftentimes opt to drop into these types of sessions rather than purchase the package because they are not sure they can make it to every single one. Instead, an analysis should be taken of the percentage of guests who are dropping in or signing up over a period of time, and that should be factored into evaluating the feasibility of the class.

Miller also said he would ask the board liaison if there is any data on the Mumford’s Landing class’s profitability before the pandemic.

The OPA Aquatics Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet again on Thursday, Feb. 13.