8/9/2006

OPA caps the pool
By Bob Lassahn

Upon the majority vote of the Ocean Pines Association (OPA) Board of Directors construction of the Sports Core pool enclosure is expected to begin shortly after the Labor Day holiday with completion slated for late winter or early spring. The $929,000 cost will be paid with a $500,000 withdrawal from reserves and a loan to finance the remainder.

After just over one hour of discussion the vote was called and carried with Directors Reid Sterrett, Glenn Duffy, Dan Stachurski and Heather Cook voting in favor and Mark Venit voting against. Directors George Coleburn and Janet Kelley abstained.

On August 3 the OPA board held a special meeting to decide the question of building an enclosure over the Sports Core swimming pool. Originally scheduled for 9 a.m. in the Administration Building Board room, by the appointed time the room was overflowing with attendees and Director Stachurski entered to announce that the meeting was being rescheduled to 9:30 a.m. at the second floor of the Yacht Club to accommodate the group of about 50 people present.

Once settled in at the Yacht Club the meeting opened with a brief statement from Board President Duffy as to the purpose and moved directly to public comments. A total of 18 persons took the podium to address the board, with the preponderance (16 persons) expressing support for the pool enclosure. Public comments were completed in about 50 minutes.

Based upon the proliferation of youth wearing "Hammerheads" team shirts and the crowd's reactions it became obvious the majority of those attending were in favor of the pool enclosure. The four speakers against the enclosure focused their objections on financial issues and the concerns that the pool and enclosure were something of a compromise to keep the cost below the amount necessary to trigger a referendum.

Director Sterrett introduced his motion and obtained a second from Director Cook. He also requested that the rules be suspended to allow input from a representative of Structures Unlimited, the firm that would furnish the enclosure, and from local developer Marvin Steen, who would furnish the foundation work and assist OPA in an overview of the project.

During discussion by the board Directors Kelley, Venit and Coleburn all suggested that the matter should be deferred for some period of time to allow further research and evaluation, but fell short of convincing their fellow board members. Directors Stachurski, Duffy and Cook all offered statements and assurances supportive of Mr. Sterrett's motion. Director Duffy commented that he had reconsidered his position on the pool enclosure the evening before the meeting. The outcome was obvious before the vote was actually called.

Send an Email Letter to Courier Editor - be sure to include your telephone number.