Ocean Pines Association General Manager John Viola gave an overall positive report on the community’s financial position and amenity improvements at the community’s annual membership meeting on Aug. 10.
Ocean Pines General Manager John Viola report’s on the year’s successes during the Ocean Pines Association’s annual meeting Aug. 10.
Photo courtesy Ocean Pines Association
By Tara Fischer, Staff Writer
With assistance from Director of Business Administration Linda Martin, Ocean Pines Association General Manager John Viola gave his report on the community’s financial position and amenity improvements at the Aug. 10 annual membership meeting.
“Last year, I said we have something special here,” Viola said. “… I still think that is true. We are on track and need to stay on that course.”
Martin kickstarted the presentation by highlighting new projects and upgrades to the neighborhood’s amenities that were approved or completed within the past year.
A new surface was added to the splash pad at the Swim and Racquet pool. The update was approved by the OPA Board of Directors at the April 20, 2024 meeting and cost $36,040. Martin also articulated the community’s gratitude for the work of Aquatics Director Michelle Hitchens, who moved into the role in September 2023. At the time of her promotion, the employee had been with the Ocean Pines swim department for 11 years.
In addition to the irrigation initiative, Martin noted the verticutting maintenance on the golf course’s fairways and greens. Verticutting uses vertical blades to remove thatch buildup on the grass, the undecomposed and partially decomposed plant material interwoven with the living tissue.
The marina, voted by the state’s Department of Natural Resources as one of Maryland’s clean marinas for a second year, saw decks and docks repaired at the Yacht Club and the Swim and Racquet.
Community officials said approximately $25,000 was spent on maintenance to the racquet sports pro shop building within the past 12 months. The developments include a new HVAC system, ice machine, office furniture, gutters, water fountains, a dehumidifier, window repairs, loch changes, and an interior paint job. Structure supports and screens were also replaced at the platform tennis courts for $26,394.
The renovations to the racquet center building are still on track. According to the association, the project will cost $140,000.
Viola highlighted the planned construction of the Veterans Memorial Pavilion. The general manager said the project, which is expected to be completed by November, is priced at $150,000.
According to Viola, he and Worcester County Veterans Memorial President Marie Gilmore met within the past few weeks to make minor changes to the sketches and designs. He said extra lighting and a generator were added to the proposal to increase safety.
The general manager highlighted the ditch and pipelining maintenance, which cost the association $210,637.
Road paving was completed on approximately three miles, including Battersea Road, Canal Road, Deerfield Court, Driftwood Lane, Moonraker Road, St. Martin’s Lane, Waters Edge Court, and Wharf Court for $356,618.20. Officials said new crosswalks have also been painted throughout the community, one of which was placed on Robin Hood Trail.
Viola also reiterated the positive work with the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department. The association and the first responder company continue to host discussions and even met on Aug. 9.
“I believe we are on track,” the general manager said. “… It has been a very constructive time.”
Department president Joe Enste reiterated Viola’s remarks.
“We are going through initial phases,” he said. “I am getting everything sketched out, making sure we have all the needs covered in the actual drawings, and making a list of all the items we need inside the firehouse. We will work with a builder and architect to draw it up so the community can see what it will look like.”
Viola rounded out his report by discussing the community’s financial situation, comparing it to 2017 and 2018.
The Ocean Pines official said that roughly six years ago, the community had a deficit of approximately $1.6 million, drainage and road maintenance was lacking, and golf, aquatics, food and beverage service, and racquet sports were losing money. Membership revenue, which includes profits from all amenities, totaled $1.16 million.
Today, Viola maintains that OPA’s monetary position is “favorable.” Spending on drainage has increased, road maintenance has been added to the strategic plan, and costs have been “controlled.” The forecasted membership revenue has increased by around 13% to $1.3 million.
Viola touched on his priorities for the future. Four new electronic signs are planned for the next 12 months, golf course irrigation will continue, a dog park rain structure will be built, and firehouse construction will remain a priority.
The fiscal year 2024 operating fund’s audited report card shows that OPA is positive by approximately $1.2 million.
“It’s a good number; it is a great number,” Viola said.
The general manager said the amenities, notably golf, drive financial favorability.
Viola analyzed the operating fund from May 2018 to now. Roughly six years ago, the fund had a negative balance of $1.6 million. However, there have been positive additions, or surpluses, totaling $7 million. Since then, the general manager said much of the money was repurposed and “put back into the association.”
Pickleball courts, T-shaped docks, road reserves, and assessment reductions are a few of the investments.
The summary of FY24’s audited reserves activity, including significant maintenance and replacements, drainage, new capital, and roads, shows a total balance of $7 million.
“At this point, if I were to put a term on it, I would call it Goldilocks,” Viola said. “It is a Goldilocks situation.”