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Pines pool policy unlikely to change

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Nov. 9, 2017) Based on the assumptions of the newly formed Oasis Pool Work Group, the popular pool closest to the Ocean Pines Yacht Club will not be returned to an adults-only facility any time soon.

The group, which met for the first time last Tuesday, did, however, have several suggestions that could make swimming there more enjoyable for a large segment of the population who were outraged when it became a family pool earlier this year.

Gary Miller, who led the committee discussion, said the group was formed because there was a lack of discussion when the change was made official in July.

At the time, interim general manager and Director Brett Hill issued a press release that said the policy change was made during a closed session.

“The pool has been restricted from those under the age of 18 for over 30 years,” Hill wrote. “The decision was made after exhaustive research by our legal firm, Lerch, Early, and Brewer, who have extensive HOA experience. They searched for every reasonable alternative, but at this time, have been unable to find any.

“There has been some initial resistance from regular users of the adult pool, however this was a matter of complying with the laws of the state of Maryland, and the Fair Housing Act, which supersede the authority of a Board,” Hill added.

Miller, aided by homeowner donations, hired attorney Jim Almand from Ocean City firm Ayers, Jenkins, Gordy and Almand to get a second opinion, which apparently yielded some suggestions to soften the blow, but none to reverse the board decision.

One option, to separate the Oasis pool membership from the other four pools in the Pines and charge a higher “premium fee” to dissuade wider usage, was deemed undesirable and too confusing by members of the work group.

Instead, the five women and two men present during the first meeting considered rules that might help calm certain activities at the pool that were deemed undesirable. Complaints had ranged from splashing and loud noises to seniors getting hurt when children bumped or dove into them.

“What we as group need to decide is what we want to recommend to the board and [Aquatics Director] Colby [Phillips],” Miller said. “As much as I would like to be able to say, ‘Hey, we’re going to get back an adults-only pool,’ I don’t think that’s realistic. I think the best we can hope for is a quiet, adult-friendly Oasis pool.”

New rules included requiring children to be accompanied by an adult guardian, prohibiting running, jumping and throwing toys and other objects, and limiting floatation devises to only what is needed to swim.

The work group agreed to refine the list and consider either a public presentation or letter to the board of directors.