11/1//2005
By Bob Lassahn
The Ocean Pines Association (OPA) Board of Directors hosted a Town Meeting on October 26 to provide property owners an opportunity to give input on a new community center to be built adjacent to the southgate pond. The proposed 29,000 square foot facility, estimated to cost about $3.9 million, was approved in a hotly debated referendum in August 2005. Commercial properties and residential lots owned by OPA will be sold to finance the construction.
The 7 p.m. meeting, held at the OPA Country Club, was preceded by a fried chicken buffet beginning at 5 p.m. at Anna’s Kitchen, located on the lower level of the facility. Although the fried chicken dinner was only lightly attended about 70 people turned out for the meeting.
The evening began with a bit of drama when the building fire alarm sounded shortly before the meeting was set to commence. Board Vice President Dan Stachurski made an announcement identifying the sound as the fire alarm and advising there was no obvious problem. Minutes later the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department arrived on the scene and instructed everyone to evacuate the premises until firefighters could conduct a thorough check. By about 7:05 p.m. the all clear was given and everyone was back inside.
Board President Glenn Duffy opened the meeting and immediately turned the proceedings over to Mr. Stachurski, selected by the board to serve as their project manager for the facility. Following brief introductory remarks Mr. Stachurski began inviting individuals to the podium to present their ideas or comments.
During the next 50 minutes a total of 21 individuals stepped up, some after a bit of coaxing from Mr. Stachurski, to provide suggestions or ask questions about the facility. Four of the individuals requested consideration of a fitness center or workout facility and three asked for consideration of an auditorium with fixed seating, with two suggesting a sloped floor for theater type seating.
Several individuals submitted their recommendations both verbally and in writing to the board. Phyllis Truitt requested the building be designed with efficiency and economy of operation in mind, noting such facilities as twice the number of restrooms for women as for men, automatic flush toilets, electric eye operated sinks and baby changing stations. Among other suggestions she also called for a properly sized and equipped commercial grade kitchen, solar hot water, consideration of geothermal heating and automatic opening front doors.
Mr. Stachurski walked away with a number of suggestions to consider as the building goes into the design phase. OPA members may also complete a written suggestion form, available at many OPA offices and facilities or downloadable from their website.
An exact timeline for construction is not yet established but the OPA hopes to break ground by spring 2006 and have the completed building available for use within approximately one year. Mr. Stachurski indicated that residents would have another opportunity to comment when the conceptual design phase is complete and plans presented during a future OPA board meeting.
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Uploaded: 11/1/2005
