By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

(July 2, 2026) While rainy weather during Memorial Day weekend contributed to a slight budget shortfall in May, Ocean Pines Association officials say they are optimistic that membership subscriptions and amenity revenues will rebound as summer continues.

During Monday’s OPA Board of Directors meeting, the association General Manager John Viola told the board the association finished May approximately $9,000 below budget. Viola attributed this drop primarily to gloomy weather during Memorial Day, Ocean Pines and the surrounding areas’ official start to the summer season.

“Memorial Day weekend, we’re weather-dependent, especially this time of year,” Viola said. “It was a tough weekend for weather, so it did affect several of our amenities. It also affected our memberships.”

According to Viola’s financial presentation, the association reported a May month-to-date operating income of approximately $6.446 million, compared to a budgeted $6.455 million, resulting in an unfavorable variance of about $9,000.

Viola said the impact is likely temporary, noting that membership sales increase during periods of favorable weather.

“We believe, and we track memberships daily, the memberships are coming,” he said. “Every time the weather’s nice, people come in and buy beach parking [and other memberships].”

While some amenities experienced lower-than-budgeted revenue, Viola said others are performing well.

Golf operations have largely stabilized and are tracking close to both last year’s performance and budget projections, Viola said. Aquatics is outperforming last year’s numbers while remaining in line with budget expectations.

The marina also has seen an increase in as weather conditions have improved.

“Now we’re getting good weather, and the demand is coming in,” Viola said.

Additionally, racquet sports continue to perform well. Viola said that memberships from people who live outside Ocean Pines are increasing slightly.

“We heard about people from outside,” Viola said. “Membership from people who don’t live in Ocean Pines is actually up a little.”

Viola cautioned that it is still early in the summer season and said the association expects revenue to improve as additional memberships are purchased in the coming weeks.

“I do believe some of this is going to be timing,” he said. “We will see memberships and everything coming in over the next month. We seem to be keeping track with last year’s budget.”

He added that the association will have a better indication of the season’s financial outlook after the Independence Day holiday.

Despite the slight monthly shortfall, Viola said the association remains in a strong financial position with roughly $10 million in reserve funds, including approximately $6 million in general reserves.