Although reports surfaced last month that the cost of the Manklin Meadows Complex project in Ocean Pines far exceeded the original estimate, General Manager Bob Thompson suggested the issue was a case of “nothing to see here.”
Original estimates for overhauling the current complex and adding a dozen new racquet-sports courts were approved by the board at a price tag of $250,000 in November 2014. Last month, the Worcester County Planning Commission approved the initial site plan, and things seemed to be moving forward.
At least one Ocean Pines director, who wished not to be named, confirmed ballooning costs and said the total estimate was now north of $750,000.
Officially, members of the board are saying they do not have current-enough information.
Vice President Cheryl Jacobs said she was not sure where the new numbers were coming from, but admitted original estimates were likely outdated.
“I do not believe the original number will continue to be accurate,” she said. “I have not been given any concrete information yet, but I believe it will be forthcoming before too long.”
Dave Stevens echoed that, saying he did not have any information “concrete or otherwise,” about Manklin Meadows.
“The last information the board was provided was in the GM Report on Oct. 29, which stated MM proposals were due back on 15 December, with recommendations to the Board on 17 December,” Stevens said. “Neither the November or December reports provided any updates, and MM and bridges were not even mentioned at the last meeting.
“I am sure that Cheryl is correct in saying it will be forthcoming soon,” Stevens continued. “After all, we will see the GM’s budget on Jan. 4, and we are all up for surprises after New Year’s.”
Thompson suggested the issue was being overblown because Ocean Pines only received one bid based on the most recent engineering plan for Manklin Meadows. That, he said, was not enough to move forward in any capacity.
Currently, the plan is to build eight pickleball courts and four new platform tennis courts, along with adding parking and revitalizing the playground.
Thompson would not reveal the lone bid, but said stormwater mitigation and management, reforestation, planning and landscaping all contributed to the total cost. As for the reason for the lack of bids, he said the size and scope of the project might have intimidated other potential construction companies.
“Only receiving one bid on a project of this size and scale isn’t enough to make a recommendation to the board on how to proceed,” Thompson said. “What’s happening right now is we’re analyzing what brought us to this point and seeing if there are other, more feasible options to address the issue.”
That could include, he said, “potentially phasing the project in.”
“It’s a project under consideration,” Thompson said. “From a staffing side, we have not received enough good information to make a recommendation to the board on how to move forward.
“All the white noise about being over budget – none of it is relevant,” he added. “One bidder is not enough to present to the board and say, ‘here’s our cost for the project.’ It just doesn’t give me enough balance. Dropping back a little bit and phasing it in [with] more reasonable and manageable pieces, I think, we might get better results (from potential bidders).”
Original estimates for overhauling the current complex and adding a dozen new racquet-sports courts were approved by the board at a price tag of $250,000 in November 2014. Last month, the Worcester County Planning Commission approved the initial site plan, and things seemed to be moving forward.
At least one Ocean Pines director, who wished not to be named, confirmed ballooning costs and said the total estimate was now north of $750,000.
Officially, members of the board are saying they do not have current-enough information.
Vice President Cheryl Jacobs said she was not sure where the new numbers were coming from, but admitted original estimates were likely outdated.
“I do not believe the original number will continue to be accurate,” she said. “I have not been given any concrete information yet, but I believe it will be forthcoming before too long.”
Dave Stevens echoed that, saying he did not have any information “concrete or otherwise,” about Manklin Meadows.
“The last information the board was provided was in the GM Report on Oct. 29, which stated MM proposals were due back on 15 December, with recommendations to the Board on 17 December,” Stevens said. “Neither the November or December reports provided any updates, and MM and bridges were not even mentioned at the last meeting.
“I am sure that Cheryl is correct in saying it will be forthcoming soon,” Stevens continued. “After all, we will see the GM’s budget on Jan. 4, and we are all up for surprises after New Year’s.”
Thompson suggested the issue was being overblown because Ocean Pines only received one bid based on the most recent engineering plan for Manklin Meadows. That, he said, was not enough to move forward in any capacity.
Currently, the plan is to build eight pickleball courts and four new platform tennis courts, along with adding parking and revitalizing the playground.
Thompson would not reveal the lone bid, but said stormwater mitigation and management, reforestation, planning and landscaping all contributed to the total cost. As for the reason for the lack of bids, he said the size and scope of the project might have intimidated other potential construction companies.
“Only receiving one bid on a project of this size and scale isn’t enough to make a recommendation to the board on how to proceed,” Thompson said. “What’s happening right now is we’re analyzing what brought us to this point and seeing if there are other, more feasible options to address the issue.”
That could include, he said, “potentially phasing the project in.”
“It’s a project under consideration,” Thompson said. “From a staffing side, we have not received enough good information to make a recommendation to the board on how to move forward.
“All the white noise about being over budget – none of it is relevant,” he added. “One bidder is not enough to present to the board and say, ‘here’s our cost for the project.’ It just doesn’t give me enough balance. Dropping back a little bit and phasing it in [with] more reasonable and manageable pieces, I think, we might get better results (from potential bidders).”