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3/3/2014 8:19:49 PM
 
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Section 5: OPA Board Subject: COPE Golf Petition? Msg# 879451
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| I would like to share an opinion (remember an opinion is just that, neither right or wrong). I believe that the history of ocean pines started with the proposition that it was a resort community. Thus the history or amenities that were included with the community and yes supported by the community from the very beginning. Golf has become a very difficult business to turn a profit so the challenges faced by OPCC has become a very familiar problem nationwide. Keep in mind that the boomer generation is now retiring and I believe that will generate more play or a possible reversal of the declining rounds of golf throughout the country. I do believe we should consider changing the name from a Country Club to something different ( how about The Links at Ocean Pines). Even 30 years ago I avoided "Country Clubs" believing they were either private or elitists where I would truly not be welcome. I believe that still holds true for casual or resorts golfers...they will visit the courses that truly seem public. I believe we should reduce rate and strive for volume to introduce or reintroduce the course to the public. Keep in mind that maintaining an open space park will not be without costs. It would not surprise me at all if maintenance were $500,000 or more a year. Depending on how the open space is maintained or not it will attract plant and animal habitants that may not be desirable. This argument as well as the ongoing debate of the costs/necessity of the yacht club goes to one issue...the basic ongoing character of the community. I believe that a lot of people purchased property here originally and continue to do so because of that character... whether they use the amenities or not. When the amenities disappear and the general maintenance of the assets decline the community risks decline as well. That is a big gamble to the long term health of Ocean Pines...much more so then the current losses of the golf club. | ||||||
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For reference, the above message is a reply to a message where: Joe I believe the essence of COPE's proposal is no different than what I formally proposed to the BoD (in writing) in 2009 or 2010. Never heard a peep from the BoD. The B&FAC made basically a similar recommendation to the BoD as part of its analysis of the 2013/2014 budget. No action was taken by the BoD. Was not Marvin Steen a major player and a behind-the-scene-supporter of the Sorts Core Pool enclosure? I think he donated about $50,000 or so of labor and material to the enclosure project. (It has been about more than a year or two since I last checked, but that donation to the best of my knowledge had not been recorded as part of the enclosure project cost.) Several years ago Bob Thompson proposed developing some lots on the 10th fairway as a way of financing some of the course improvements. Given that, why wouldn't some developers not be interested in developing, at least in part, a tract of land like a "former golf course"? Likewise, why wouldn't OPA be interested having at least some of it developed as a way of creating more assessment revenue? Also, the BoD tried not so long ago to obtain the Pines Shore North property because it would have satisfied a number of "critical space needs" that were later enumerated by Bob Thompson in a Town Hall meeting. If the golf course is eventually converted to some other use, would not the BoD and the GM seize the opportunity to use some of the space for these "needs" (e.g. leaf disposal, expanded Public Works Department facilities, enhanced drainage facilities like more/deeper ponds, etc.)? Last, but not least, I again proffer that an alternative use of some of the space become an amenity that association members would be dying to use... a grave yard!!!! Gene
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OPA Board Meeting - Golf Clubhouse
11/23/2024 - 9:00 A.M. 3 days or less away! |
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Special Board Meeting - Board Room
11/25/2024 - 7:00 P.M. 3 days or less away! |
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OPA Board Meeting - Golf Clubhouse
12/21/2024 - 9:00 A.M. |
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OPA Board Meeting - Golf Clubhouse
1/25/2025 - 9: A.M. |
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OPA Board Meeting - Golf Clubhouse
2/22/2025 - 9:00 A.M. |