(March 24, 2016) A lack of information on a major capital improvement – and an out-of-town chairperson – resulted in the cancellation of the March 16 meeting of the Ocean Pines Racquet Sports Advisory Committee.
That’s according to Chair John McNult, who said the committee has not met for months while he is away in Florida. If he were in Ocean Pines, however, he isn’t sure the group would have met anyway.
“I’ve not had a chance to really meet with the racquet sports committee in person very often, but I have been able to stay in tune with what’s going on via the telecasts that Ocean Pines Association has for the board of directors meetings,” he said. “The GM [Bob Thompson] has actually been nonresponsive to my requests for updates on his next plan for getting the racquet sports improvements that were slated to be done.”
Specifically, McNult said he had requested updates on the improvements at the Manklin Meadows Racquet Sports Complex, but had not received them. A dozen new racquet sports courts were expected at the site, with an originally estimated price tag of $250,000.
That number had the approval of the board of directors. When Thompson sent the project out to bid, however, only one estimate came back, costing more than $750,000.
Thompson has said during public meetings that he is trying to mitigate larger-than-expected stormwater costs for the project, while also breaking the overhaul into smaller pieces to potentially lower the total cost.
“Until I hear something from him, I really have no idea what he is going to do,” McNult said. “I’m sorry to say that, but that’s the fact of the matter.”
The next meeting of the committee is tentatively set for Wednesday, April 13, at 3 p.m. at the Manklin Meadows complex. McNult said he hoped the status of the “alternate plan” for the racquet sports improvements would be on the agenda.
“[Thompson] hasn’t told me a thing,” he said. “I don’t know if he’s talked to anybody [or] if he’s talked to any of the directors. I think if he had, I believe that our board of director liaison, Jack Collins, would keep me apprised of what he hears.
“My only assumption is there is some planning going on, but I’m at a loss for what it is at the moment,” McNult added.
Collins did not return calls for comment.
For his part, Thompson pointed out that committees exist to advise the board of directors, but said his does his best, “as a courtesy,” to stay responsive.
“I appreciate having open dialogue with them,” he said. “I’m not sure where the breakdown or what the concern is there is. I’ve updated John before, so I have no idea where the breakdown is.”
Thompson confirmed the association continues to work on the design for the complex, and that it could be completed over several phases. Full build out of Manklin Meadows would include eight pickleball and four platform tennis courts.
“I’m hoping to have some recommendations in the very near future for the board to consider,” he said.
That’s according to Chair John McNult, who said the committee has not met for months while he is away in Florida. If he were in Ocean Pines, however, he isn’t sure the group would have met anyway.
“I’ve not had a chance to really meet with the racquet sports committee in person very often, but I have been able to stay in tune with what’s going on via the telecasts that Ocean Pines Association has for the board of directors meetings,” he said. “The GM [Bob Thompson] has actually been nonresponsive to my requests for updates on his next plan for getting the racquet sports improvements that were slated to be done.”
Specifically, McNult said he had requested updates on the improvements at the Manklin Meadows Racquet Sports Complex, but had not received them. A dozen new racquet sports courts were expected at the site, with an originally estimated price tag of $250,000.
That number had the approval of the board of directors. When Thompson sent the project out to bid, however, only one estimate came back, costing more than $750,000.
Thompson has said during public meetings that he is trying to mitigate larger-than-expected stormwater costs for the project, while also breaking the overhaul into smaller pieces to potentially lower the total cost.
“Until I hear something from him, I really have no idea what he is going to do,” McNult said. “I’m sorry to say that, but that’s the fact of the matter.”
The next meeting of the committee is tentatively set for Wednesday, April 13, at 3 p.m. at the Manklin Meadows complex. McNult said he hoped the status of the “alternate plan” for the racquet sports improvements would be on the agenda.
“[Thompson] hasn’t told me a thing,” he said. “I don’t know if he’s talked to anybody [or] if he’s talked to any of the directors. I think if he had, I believe that our board of director liaison, Jack Collins, would keep me apprised of what he hears.
“My only assumption is there is some planning going on, but I’m at a loss for what it is at the moment,” McNult added.
Collins did not return calls for comment.
For his part, Thompson pointed out that committees exist to advise the board of directors, but said his does his best, “as a courtesy,” to stay responsive.
“I appreciate having open dialogue with them,” he said. “I’m not sure where the breakdown or what the concern is there is. I’ve updated John before, so I have no idea where the breakdown is.”
Thompson confirmed the association continues to work on the design for the complex, and that it could be completed over several phases. Full build out of Manklin Meadows would include eight pickleball and four platform tennis courts.
“I’m hoping to have some recommendations in the very near future for the board to consider,” he said.