COMMUNITY CENTER REFERENDUM
DEFINING THE ISSUE
BY TOM OLSON
OCEAN PINES ASSOCIATION GENERAL MANAGER

There are certain indisputable facts that guide the Ocean Pines Association in planning for today’s needs and tomorrow’s demands. First and foremost is the recognition that more than 8,400 families call Ocean Pines “home” year round, seasonally, or occasionally. The Association offers a wide variety of social and recreational activities that require safe, comfortable space to accommodate members and their guests. These facilities are the cornerstone of a quality of life unparalleled in any other Eastern Shore Community.

Another indisputable fact is that many of our facilities are each approaching 40 years of age. They were designed for seasonal use on a much smaller scale than community growth has mandated. That’s why the Ocean Pines Association has found itself in the dilemma of meeting today’s needs and tomorrow’s demands by rehabilitating and replacing our facilities. The existing Community Hall is heavily used today and in many ways is inadequate both aesthetically and functionally. After much study and review, the Association has determined this facility should be replaced.

History tells us that the Association has attempted, on at least four different occasions to secure membership approval to construct a new Ocean Pines Community Center. It was the referendum in 2005 that did gain the approval of the membership.

Since August, 2005, the Board of Directors has proceeded to move the desire of the membership from concept to completion. Unfortunately, a great deal of controversy surrounds the project and calls the effort into question. The referendum proposal presented in 2005 estimated the cost to be 3.94 million dollars. The estimate was prepared by using architect and engineering “estimates.” Upon membership approval in August 2005, the Association evaluated project costs using bid specifications prepared by experts and estimated by one of the best construction management firms in the area. This analysis came in substantially higher than the original construction estimates. The issue has been mired in debate as to why the original estimate fell so far short of the reality of the project. We can spend an enormous amount of time debating why this occurred but it will not change the reality that to construct the new community center, as re-engineered and redesigned, will cost 5.4 million dollars in 2007.

Should the Board of Directors have stopped the project and returned to the membership for re-approval after the estimate was received? Obviously, there is a Judge in Worcester County, who upon first review of the question believes so. When a Temporary Restraining Order was granted stopping the project for a 10 day period, the Board had an option to continue arguing the rationale behind their efforts in subsequent court hearings or to seek a new referendum. A great deal of time, effort, and money has been invested in this project and more of each will be required to complete the project. Rather than allow the project to wallow in controversy for several more months, the Board agreed to seek a definitive answer from the membership to a very simple question. Do you approve the Ocean Pines Association continuing construction of the new Ocean Pines Community Center at a cost estimate of 5.4 million dollars?

Will the Association look at alternatives in site, design or construction methods? The answer is no. To do so would waste funds already expended for design and planning for the project. Our current fixed price contracts would also be voided. The structure as proposed is 29,000 sq. ft. and incorporates the recommendations of the Comprehensive Planning Committee in assessing current and future community needs.

During the next 30 days, I will outline the issues and provide information to help the Ocean Pines community make an informed decision on this project. Future editorials will include; exploring the cancellation costs, methods of funding and the Board’s recommendation supporting the referendum. This issue is important to each and every member of the Ocean Pines Association and I want to make sure that you have as much information as possible to make your decision. See you next issue…