Comments from Ground Breaking Ceremony
Ocean Pines Community Center
January 10, 2007
By: Tom Olson –
General Manager

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Ocean Pines Association Team, I’d like to welcome you to this historical event.  I want to acknowledge our County Commissioners who have made the time today to be here:  Commissioner James Purnell, Commissioner Judy Boggs and Commissioner Linda Busick.

I would also like to introduce to you the Board of Directors of the Ocean Pines Association: President Glenn Duffy, Vice President Dan Stachurski, Treasurer Bill Zawacki, Secretary Reid Sterrett, Directors Heather Cook, Ray Unger and Director Tom Sandusky.

Since the early 1990’s the Association realized that its aging facilities need to be expanded or rehabilitated in order to meet community needs for social gatherings, meetings and recreational activities that enhance the quality of life for residents and guests alike.  Our facilities are what make this community unique.  They are also the cornerstone of a quality of life that is not necessarily found in typical subdivisions.  These facilities help support strong property values inside Ocean Pines boundaries and enhance our community image among our neighbors. 

Today’s groundbreaking marks the start of one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken by the Association.  The Ocean Pines Community Center that will be built here will be comprised of 29,000 square feet including a gymnasium, large group meeting space and several smaller rooms.  The New community Center will accommodate many of the Parks and Recreation Department’s activities, as well as meet the social and recreational needs of more than 75 community organizations, many which are represented here today.  We are proud of the great work our community organizations do in enhancing the quality of life here in Ocean Pines.  They are responsible for many charitable initiatives that help those in need throughout the surrounding community.  Providing these organizations with first class accommodations will help us to strengthen the social fabric of the community and give them an environment that helps to continue their good works benefiting people inside and outside the Ocean Pines community. 

These are exciting times here in Ocean Pines!  In addition to the Community Center being proposed, our Pool Enclosure project will begin at the Sports Core pool, just to my right, within the next few months.  Together our new center and enclosed pool will provide year round activities for all ages rounding out a 4 season Recreation / Social program of the highest quality.  We won’t stop there in our efforts to keep Ocean Pines a first class community.  During the next 10 years, the Association will undertake rehabilitation initiatives to enhance each community facility including the Yacht Club, Golf Course & Country Club, Beach Club, and other facilities for the benefit of our members today as well as our members of Tomorrow!   It is my Privilege to be a part of this New Beginning for Ocean Pines Association.

Thank you all for taking the time to celebrate this milestone with us.  I would like to ask President Duffy and the rest of the Board to now Kick Off our Construction effort by Breaking Ground on the NEW OCEAN PINES COMMUNITY CENTER!!!!!!