(Nov. 20, 2014) Delivering his first “town hall” session in more than a year, Ocean Pines General Manager Bob Thompson appeared upbeat last Thursday at the Recreation Center as he painted a picture of a robust community with a flourishing array of amenities
Thompson provided updates on the yacht club and golf course, complete with an interactive slide show, and fielded questions from the audience for more than two hours.
The Ocean Pines Yacht Club, which saw numerous controversies during the last few months after some community organizations booked functions elsewhere, showed strong numbers during its first season, Thompson said and brought in more than $400,000 during 60 events.
Early 2015 numbers also appeared promising. The venue has already booked 41 events next year worth more than $370,000.
“The type of product we now have is very, very different than the club we had previously,” Thompson said. “From our perspective … we’re looking at it kind of like a startup. You’re going to learn things as you start going down the path – things that work well and things won’t work well. We’ll have to make adjustments.”
Thompson’s winter to-do list of improvements at the club included finishing construction, making adjustments in the kitchen, decorating, adding new furniture and addressing the booking complaints of community and civic groups.
Thompson said groups were unclear when and how they could use the club, and that he and a small workgroup were developing pricing strategies, menu options and deciding whether Ocean Pines residents would receive discounts or priority booking. Leasing the club to outside management, according to Thompson, is not on the table.
“We figure we’ll get a year under our belt … and then we can make some better decisions,” he said. “Things you guys are telling us we’re writing it down. You just can’t correct everything right away. It’s kind of a learning process. Your feedback has been helpful [and] we’re asking you to bear with us as we’re kind of going through this together as a group.”
Golf revenues were up $146,200 over last year’s numbers, when the community lost $30,620.
“All the metrics that we can track from July, August, September and October have all been going in the direction you would hope they would go,” he said.
Ocean Pines recently published a request for proposals on outside companies leasing or managing the course, and Thompson said he was gathering data, “to see what we might look like with [current golf club management] Billy Casper over somebody else.”
Construction on the newly approved White Horse Boat Ramp, according to Thompson, could begin as early as this week. Another construction project, the Racquet Sports Complex, is nearing the final stages of the design process and could see a board vote on Nov. 22.
Thompson declined to give an update on the negotiations with electric utility Sandpiper Energy.
“I’m not going to talk about contract negotiations – that’s something the board will do,” he said. “The board is trying to look out for the entire organization … and make a decision that’s in the best interest for everybody.”
Thompson fielded questions about the missing chipping and putting nets on the golf course [“there was a delay … it’s been a little longer than it should have been”], the ongoing battle with geese [“it’s a multipronged approach”] and improving handicapped access at the recreation facility [“we can look at it”].
Audience feedback included calls for electronic signs at the three main entry points to the community and the addition of trivia at the yacht club.
Asked, “was this meeting helpful or not?” Thompson received a round of applause.
Thompson provided updates on the yacht club and golf course, complete with an interactive slide show, and fielded questions from the audience for more than two hours.
The Ocean Pines Yacht Club, which saw numerous controversies during the last few months after some community organizations booked functions elsewhere, showed strong numbers during its first season, Thompson said and brought in more than $400,000 during 60 events.
Early 2015 numbers also appeared promising. The venue has already booked 41 events next year worth more than $370,000.
“The type of product we now have is very, very different than the club we had previously,” Thompson said. “From our perspective … we’re looking at it kind of like a startup. You’re going to learn things as you start going down the path – things that work well and things won’t work well. We’ll have to make adjustments.”
Thompson’s winter to-do list of improvements at the club included finishing construction, making adjustments in the kitchen, decorating, adding new furniture and addressing the booking complaints of community and civic groups.
Thompson said groups were unclear when and how they could use the club, and that he and a small workgroup were developing pricing strategies, menu options and deciding whether Ocean Pines residents would receive discounts or priority booking. Leasing the club to outside management, according to Thompson, is not on the table.
“We figure we’ll get a year under our belt … and then we can make some better decisions,” he said. “Things you guys are telling us we’re writing it down. You just can’t correct everything right away. It’s kind of a learning process. Your feedback has been helpful [and] we’re asking you to bear with us as we’re kind of going through this together as a group.”
Golf revenues were up $146,200 over last year’s numbers, when the community lost $30,620.
“All the metrics that we can track from July, August, September and October have all been going in the direction you would hope they would go,” he said.
Ocean Pines recently published a request for proposals on outside companies leasing or managing the course, and Thompson said he was gathering data, “to see what we might look like with [current golf club management] Billy Casper over somebody else.”
Construction on the newly approved White Horse Boat Ramp, according to Thompson, could begin as early as this week. Another construction project, the Racquet Sports Complex, is nearing the final stages of the design process and could see a board vote on Nov. 22.
Thompson declined to give an update on the negotiations with electric utility Sandpiper Energy.
“I’m not going to talk about contract negotiations – that’s something the board will do,” he said. “The board is trying to look out for the entire organization … and make a decision that’s in the best interest for everybody.”
Thompson fielded questions about the missing chipping and putting nets on the golf course [“there was a delay … it’s been a little longer than it should have been”], the ongoing battle with geese [“it’s a multipronged approach”] and improving handicapped access at the recreation facility [“we can look at it”].
Audience feedback included calls for electronic signs at the three main entry points to the community and the addition of trivia at the yacht club.
Asked, “was this meeting helpful or not?” Thompson received a round of applause.