OCEAN PINES–Friday’s opening of the Yacht Club got two thumbs up from Ocean Pines officials and others.
The first Ocean Pines Yacht Club opened the same weekend in 1975. It was demolished in September 2013 following the successful referendum in 2012 for a new facility.
The new Yacht Club is larger, has a bridal suite and a groom’s suite and was constructed so guests have a straight view of Isle of Wight Bay. Its upstairs will be used for special events, such as weddings, and Sunday brunches. Lunches and dinners will be served in The Cove restaurant on the first floor, which inside and outside seating.
“It was a roaring success,” board President Tom Terry said of the opening during Saturday’s board meeting at the Community Center.
The food was fabulous, people had a wonderful time and the building was extremely well received, he said. “The whole night was constant movement on the part of the staff.”
Terry also congratulated General Manager Bob Thompson for his work related to the massive project.
“He did a phenomenal job getting that building done in time for the Memorial Day Weekend,” Terry said.
“He really pulled a rabbit out of the hat,” Director Jack Collins said about Thompson.
Director Sharyn O’Hare had greeted people as they arrived at the new facility. Many people ate dinner inside or outside on the deck. Others had drinks at the inside bar and others were just there to walk around to check out the new building or to listen to the music being performed outside by Transfuzion.
Director Terri Mohr said that although some people had to wait for their dinners, the delay was because of the huge crowd and 99.9 percent of the comments she heard were positive.
“The whole place is just fantastic,” Director Bill Cordwell said.
“What a great start for a brand new facility,” Thompson said.
The Yacht Club’s first wedding was held May 17. It could proceed as hoped for because the county granted the facility a temporary certificate of occupancy.
Last Friday’s opening was also possible because of a temporary certificate of occupancy, issued that very day, but this one is for 30 days, the maximum time permitted by law.
A list of items must be concluded before a permanent certificate of occupancy may be obtained. That list includes additional landscaping that was on the approved landscape plan, but has not been done, additional parking islands, the screening of mechanicals along the building’s west side and fencing of the trash container pad site, fuel tanks and associated landscaping.
The ribbon cutting is scheduled within that 30-day period. It will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, June 8. The day’s events will include all day entertainment, menu samples and tours of the new facility.
The Yacht Club, which is open to the general public, opens daily at 11 a.m. Sunday brunch is served from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. upstairs. The new outdoor Tiki Bar is not yet open.
The first Ocean Pines Yacht Club opened the same weekend in 1975. It was demolished in September 2013 following the successful referendum in 2012 for a new facility.
The new Yacht Club is larger, has a bridal suite and a groom’s suite and was constructed so guests have a straight view of Isle of Wight Bay. Its upstairs will be used for special events, such as weddings, and Sunday brunches. Lunches and dinners will be served in The Cove restaurant on the first floor, which inside and outside seating.
“It was a roaring success,” board President Tom Terry said of the opening during Saturday’s board meeting at the Community Center.
The food was fabulous, people had a wonderful time and the building was extremely well received, he said. “The whole night was constant movement on the part of the staff.”
Terry also congratulated General Manager Bob Thompson for his work related to the massive project.
“He did a phenomenal job getting that building done in time for the Memorial Day Weekend,” Terry said.
“He really pulled a rabbit out of the hat,” Director Jack Collins said about Thompson.
Director Sharyn O’Hare had greeted people as they arrived at the new facility. Many people ate dinner inside or outside on the deck. Others had drinks at the inside bar and others were just there to walk around to check out the new building or to listen to the music being performed outside by Transfuzion.
Director Terri Mohr said that although some people had to wait for their dinners, the delay was because of the huge crowd and 99.9 percent of the comments she heard were positive.
“The whole place is just fantastic,” Director Bill Cordwell said.
“What a great start for a brand new facility,” Thompson said.
The Yacht Club’s first wedding was held May 17. It could proceed as hoped for because the county granted the facility a temporary certificate of occupancy.
Last Friday’s opening was also possible because of a temporary certificate of occupancy, issued that very day, but this one is for 30 days, the maximum time permitted by law.
A list of items must be concluded before a permanent certificate of occupancy may be obtained. That list includes additional landscaping that was on the approved landscape plan, but has not been done, additional parking islands, the screening of mechanicals along the building’s west side and fencing of the trash container pad site, fuel tanks and associated landscaping.
The ribbon cutting is scheduled within that 30-day period. It will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, June 8. The day’s events will include all day entertainment, menu samples and tours of the new facility.
The Yacht Club, which is open to the general public, opens daily at 11 a.m. Sunday brunch is served from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. upstairs. The new outdoor Tiki Bar is not yet open.