By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

Despite this summer just getting started, the Ocean Pines Association’s Aquatics Advisory Committee is looking at improvements for next year, which could include swipe cards and a later pool closing time on weekdays.

OPA’s aquatic advisory crew met last week to discuss potential enhancements to Ocean Pines’ five swimming pools. The conversation included upgrade suggestions, but not all of them would, or could, be initiated for the current warm-weather season.

To improve convenience at Ocean Pines pools, the aquatics group intends to investigate the possibility of obtaining swipe cards for entry into the facilities and their restrooms. If the initiative reaches fruition, it would likely be for next summer, said Gary Miller, the chair of OPA’s Aquatics Advisory Committee.

Miller noted that the idea of using cards or other measures to access the pool and its bathrooms to reduce congestion was previously suggested to the OPA Board of Directors and staff, but the project never got off the ground. Committee members argue that more research is needed.

“I think we need to keep an eye on how the lines are and how bad the crowds get and see if it’s really an issue that needs addressing,” the committee chair said.

The possibility of swipe cards came up at a January meeting of the aquatics group. At that time, Miller spoke about an ongoing problem at the Ocean Pines Beach Club in Ocean City, where non-pool members were using the amenity’s restrooms.

Miller had said that bathroom attendants and cameras had been implemented to mitigate the issue, but these measures weren’t successful. The possibility of distributing a swipe card was mentioned, which would limit restroom entrance to members. The card could also be used as an admission key to the pool grounds to limit excessive lines during peak hours.

Committee members added at the January meeting that steps other than a physical card could be taken to address the crowds. For example, a QR code may be given to residents when they purchase their aquatics memberships, which would act similarly to a swipe card but electronically. Last week, the aquatics team agreed to continue to pursue this project for next year.

Also on the committee’s recommendation docket for summer 2026 is leaving one of the pools open later during the weekdays to give more time to residents who work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Swim and Racquet does have lengthened hours, but only during weekends.

Miller noted that this year, in a departure from seasons past, Swim and Racquet is open until 8 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays to give homeowners additional access to the summertime amenity. Still, the pool closes at 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The aquatics committee chair said the extended weekend hours are “good,” but they do not give working folks extra time to enjoy the pool after their long days during the week.

To be more accommodating to all Ocean Pines residents, the aquatics team will recommend to the association that one pool be open Monday through Thursday to a time later than 6 p.m. next summer.

Making the suggestion for a year from now will provide OPA staff breathing room to arrange operation dealings, if the community leaders opt to uphold the recommendation.

“It will give [OPA] more time to plan if they have to hire more lifeguards, or whatever,” said Mary Hastler, aquatics committee member.

The OPA Aquatics Advisory Committee will look into these improvements, along with others that may arise this summer, as recommendations to propose to community staff ahead of next season.