By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

Infrastructure improvements to the golf course and racquet center are scheduled in Ocean Pines over the next few months, per a report presented at the community’s Saturday, Nov. 23, board of directors meeting.

The pavilion constructed at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial in Ocean Pines was completed last month and unveiled with a ribbon cutting directly ahead of the community’s Veteran’s Day ceremony on Nov. 11. Ocean Pines Association General Manager John Viola said that the final budget requested and approved for the project was $200,000. The structure is now open to the public and will serve as a space for students and others to enjoy as they visit the remembrance park.

As the Veteran’s Gazebo has been completed, OPA has moved on to other upcoming projects. For instance, the bridge on the fourth fairway of the Ocean Pines golf course “is in dire need of replacement,” Viola said.

The work to enhance the structure will include replacing the current fencing on the sides of the bridge with railings. The community is awaiting a finalized cost from the contractor. A preliminary estimate puts the initiative at about $40,000. The general manager maintained that the bridge is scheduled to be completed sometime in January and that the construction will yield minimal disruption to the course.

Viola said the racquet sports building renovations are next in line upon the pavilion’s completion. The enhancement work, including upgrades to the bathrooms and the front pro shop, is scheduled to begin this winter. The general manager noted that community officials hope to finish the project by Memorial Day in May.

As the community continues to focus on upgrade initiatives, it is also offering festive activities for its residents this month.

Director of Business Administration Linda Martin briefly touched on upcoming holiday events in Ocean Pines at the Nov. 23 meeting. Light Up the Pines kicks off this December, where residents can decorate and register their homes to be placed on an online map of festive houses. Breakfast with Stanta will be held at the Community Center at White Horse Park from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, and a Swim with Santa event is slated for Saturday, Dec. 21, at the indoor Sports Core Pool from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Leaf maintenance will remain a priority of OPA as the autumn foliage continues to fall.

According to Martin, the neighborhood’s trash vendor, Republic Services, will pick up four leaf bags with regular garbage pickup. The company will also offer special pick-up days for leaves, collected in paper bags only, on Nov. 23, Dec. 7, Dec. 14, and Dec. 21.

Additionally, Public Works will start picking up bagged leaves on Nov. 25 through Jan. 3.

“Leaves will not be picked up unless they are in bags,” Martin said. “We will be starting violations through the [Compliant, Permit, and Inspections Department] if we see a big pile of leaves that have been sitting [on the road] for some time.”

The OPA Board of Directors, General Manager Viola, and his team will gather again on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 9 a.m. in the Clubhouse Meeting Room for their monthly meeting.