The members of the Platform Tennis Club enjoy spec, platform and timeless tennis. These sports are lesser known than pickleball and tennis so they have offered free court time to introduce people to the sports. The OPA board has decided to end the free court time.

Directors say give manager chance to assess situation

(May 11, 2023) The Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors will stay with its decision to end the introductory free play time for paddle sports at the racquet center.

Advocates for free introductory lessons and court time for some paddle sports had dominated the public comment period of the April board meeting.

“Over the last two years, we have converted this no cost trial to 61 first time memberships at $180. That is revenue generated for the OPA,” Karen Kaplan, president of the OP Platform Tennis and Spec Tennis Club said at the board meeting.

“Requiring a drop-in fee to try our unfamiliar sports is going to hurt us.”

But Doug Parks, president of OPA, told the Recreation and Parks Committee members in a meeting on Monday that OPA data shows that platform tennis has 68 members and has only increased by four members in the past five years.

He told committee members that, after much discussion and review of the data, the board decided to go with the recommendation it received by General Manager John Viola to end the free introductory period for racquet sports.

“We have to look at the cascade effect for other activities,” Parks said.

He suggested that since the racquet center has hired Tim Johnson as the new manager, people should give him time to assess the programs and make recommendations.

Kaplan believes Parks is comparing apples to oranges.

“We have over 100 people playing platform tennis with the combo members,” she said.

Kaplan also said that they had recruited 31 new memberships in 2021 and 30 in 2022.

“He is also not counting the combo members that play our sports,” she said.

“This is documented in the membership lists generated by administration.”

            “I really wanted the blessing of the board and management because they offer the other amenities free trials,” Kaplan said.

“There are nine classes you can take in aquatics.”

She also noted that the pros are giving tips to the ladies’ putters club at the golf course.

“We want to be afforded the same benefits that other amenities are getting,” she said. “I have complete faith in Tim Johnson and if, in the future, we need to revisit this, I will bring it back to the board.”