By Greg Ellison

(June 17, 2021) When the Ocean Pines Racquet Sports Committee met last Wednesday, most of the volleying concerned marketing efforts.

Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Director Debbie Donahue gave the committee an update regarding banners being produced to promote the Manklin Meadows Racquet Sports Complex.

Banner design questions yet to be decided include the positioning of the facility logo and sign placement.

“I’m just beginning to figure out locations,” she said.

The banners are intended to help people identify the racquet sports complex more easily.

Committee Chairman Rhett Parsons suggested the banners should be less directional-based and serve more to announce the facility.

Parsons proposed placing banners on Route 589 to catch the attention of both residents and visitors.

“Tell people arriving on (Route) 589 it’s here,” he said.

Parsons also inquired about size dimensions.

Donahue said four-by-eight foot banners were being considered. That would make the banners comparable in size to similar signs promoting the Ocean Pines Farmers and Artisans Market.

Parson agreed the measurements would be sufficient.

“It’s just a mater of awareness,” he said.

Switching to long-term considerations, Parsons updated committee members on planning strategy discussions during an Ocean Pines Association Executive Council meeting in late May.

Parsons said the meeting was led by Strategic Planning Committee co-chair Bernie McGorry, who presented the executive council, which is comprised of advisory committee chairs, with analysis of the complex’ strengths and weaknesses.

Parsons asked committee members to return their analyses of the racquet sports complex to McGorry.

Parking and restrooms have been the two biggest weaknesses previously noted by players, Parsons said.

Fencing issues and an overall inconsistent-looking facility were other weaknesses mentioned.

In terms of opportunities, refining facility appearances and advertising the sports complex in national or regional tennis or retirement publications was also discussed.

Turning to ground level publicity efforts, Parsons presented members with brochures highlighting the Racquet Sports Complex to be distributed at hotels and real estate offices in Ocean City.

The advertisements are destined for front desks at lodging establishments in the event guests inquire about tennis, pickleball or platform tennis options.

Parsons suggested committee members willing to volunteer could cover 10-block sections with the task likely completed sometime next week.