By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

The Ocean Pines Association’s Aquatics Committee made recommendations at an executive meeting last week for possible improvements ahead of summer.

During an Ocean Pines executive meeting last month, Gary Miller, the chair of the aquatics group, brought forward possible adjustments to prioritize pool safety.

Miller said his group has received complaints from aquatics members, including an issue at the Swim and Racquet club, where. the set of steps leading into the water is narrow. The group concluded that is a hazard for older people getting into the pool considering the volume of young kids who often play on the stairs.

“This complaint is from senior people that go to that pool that have trouble getting in and out because there’s kids that constantly hang on those steps,” Miller said. “That pool is not shallow. It’s not conducive to little kids, but that’s where many go. They hang around those steps because they can’t stand up in the pool.”

Miller said this issue has been prevalent for some time, but he and his team were told nothing can be done. While lifeguards are supposed to discourage congestion, the aquatics chair noted that this is sometimes difficult with “badgering from parents. “

“This is still an ongoing issue,” Miller added. “We have suggested getting a second set of steps. But nothing to date has been done.”

Miller also pointed out the slipperiness of the pool ladders at the Yacht Club and Swim and Racquet facilities. The committee leader maintained that the ladder steps to get in and out of the pool are metal, making it difficult for older members.

According to Miller, staff put non-slip tape on the steps last year. However, insufficient time was given for proper curing, and the method proved unsuccessful.

Board of Directors President Stuart Lakernick said he would check with public works on what can be done ahead of the upcoming summer season.

Additional safety hazards are present at the Mumford’s Landing pool, Miller said. There are “very narrow cement steps that go into the shallow area where kids hang out.” Ladders at the deeper end are built into the wall, making it dicey to climb out for people without a lot of upper body strength.

The aquatics chair said a possible modification is to replace the handrails with traditional ladders.

Lakernick asked Miller to send him charging documents for a solution to the congested Swim and Racquet steps, the Yacht Club and Swim and Racquet non-slip ladder tape, and a possible remedy to the issues at Mumford’s Landing.

“I will forward that to operations and get worked on,” Lakernick said.