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Sunday, July 16, 2017

For some swimmers, an Oasis gone


When about 200 angry Ocean Pines homeowners stormed a special board meeting in April, the directors voted 5-2 to do away with a “Family Fun Night” that would allow people of ages into the Oasis pool.

Formerly called the yacht club pool, the swimming facility had long been an “oasis” from children, as it functioned as the only adults-only pool in Ocean Pines. Many were not happy with the temporary policy change and the board, at the time, voted to side with popular opinion.

Then, on Monday, the board announced in a press release that the Oasis pool would now be open to all ages, all the time. The vote was held during a closed session, following an open session on Sunday.

The text of the release read, “The Board of Directors of the Ocean Pines Association unanimously approved the following motion, introduced by Acting General Manager Brett Hill, after consultation with legal counsel in closed session, on Sunday, July 9:

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26 comments:

Anonymous said...

if they dont like it vote the board out and get it changed

Anonymous said...

Kids UNITE! What's fair is fair:
Ban anybody aver 50 from the pools you frequent.
The old F...ts say you annoy them? Then tell them you don't want to see their old wrinkly bodies in swimsuits where you swim. Tell them it depresses you.

Anonymous said...

A retirement community in Florida did the same thing. Now none of the residents go. But when they bought their condo, they up-sold them the fact that they had a pool exclusive to that senior community.

Anonymous said...

glad I didn't buy there.

Anonymous said...

The hud specifically forbids discrimination based on familial status. Ocean Pines former "separate but equal" pool policy was illegal, plain and simple.

Change the Board all you want, it won't change the law.

Anonymous said...

It's not the Board, it's federal law. Blame congress, not your neighbors.

Anonymous said...

Why don't the kids use the beach club pool instead? Clearly this a first world problem.

Anonymous said...

I have three kids and think it's insane that this can't remain an adults only pool. The children have other pools to use. The adults who bought in the pines for that reason shouldn't have to listen to screaming, running and splashing kids.....because that's what kids do when they play outside!

Anonymous said...

Why can't they have 2 pools in the community? One for families with kids and one for the more mature crowd.

Anonymous said...

"The adults who bought in the pines"....The Pines?
You pretentious a$$hat. Let me guess, you don't want African Americans or Jews in "The Pines" either.

Anonymous said...

Don't like it, buy a house with your own pool.

Anonymous said...

Did you even READ the article 5:16? Yea, obviously you didn't or you'd know the number of pools there. SMDH.......

Anonymous said...

There are 4 pools in OP

Anonymous said...

Only way this works out for all - plastic personal pools for all. Until then, enjoy the Rules of Snowflakes (no discrimination yap yap).

I'M OLD, GIVE ME A SMALL BREAK for a couple a months a year!

Anonymous said...


OP has 4 or 5 pools from what I've read. Only one had been reserved for use by adults, and it's the pool location that served alcohol. Kids, and I was one once, create more noise and frolic in a pool environment. They also bear closer watching and are more prone to running, etc. Been there as a youth and as a parent.

OP has two board seats up for election currently and four candidates running. Bet any candidate who spoke out against the recent vote would be elected.

It appears the Acting Manager engaged a western shore lawyer to research this issue; don't know if it was at behest of the board or on his own. The way is was ramrodded through reflects poorly on the current board. The board used extremely poor judgement by kowtowing without getting a sense of what would best serve the community's needs and wishes.

Don't live there but have friends who do. Haven't used the pool, and it would be unlikely. The OP board is often a contentious group and this will cause repercussions.

Anonymous said...

So if they can't have an adults only pool how do companies justify giving a discount to seniors or any other groups?

Anonymous said...

Back in the 80s when I was a kid my community pool use to do an "adults only" swim for an hour each day. I think it was more of a quiet time lol. Kids would eat their lunches and nap while old people could do old people stuff without having to be annoyed by the little kids running around. Maybe Ocean Pines should consider doing something like that. Block off a 2 or 3 hour period a day for old people activities.

Anonymous said...

Bet they wouldn't complain about family fun night once in awhile now. Be careful what you complain about, sometimes it comes back to bite you!

Anonymous said...

God forbid we address the rights of all. Who really cares if adults have a separate pool

Anonymous said...

I wonder how many of these "part-time" resident/homeowners are these entitled retirees that move here from the city. I deal with aging population everyday from Salisbury to Ocean Pines, those people that live in Ocean Pines that retired here are some of the most obtuse and rude people I have ever met!! I understand wanting to be away from kids after you have raised your own but you don't have to act like a bunch of spoiled children yourselves! PINER WHINERS!!!

Anonymous said...

You can have 20 pools. Still can't make any adults only. Give up. You lost.

Anonymous said...

Stop blaming the Board. It's a HUD issue and no amount of whining will change anything.

Anonymous said...

Because in 1988 Congress added families as a protected class and any HOA prohibiting children access to a pool even for 30 seconds is violating the law.

Anonymous said...

I will tell you exactly why this is being made an issue. There is a group of young mothers who want to get drinks when they take their kids to swim and the other pools in the Pines don't have a bar. They flock together downing one frozen cocktail after another then all take off at once in their alcohol fueled deadly projectiles. Their attitude (which is partly right) is that their community dues subsidize a yacht club that's always lost money so they should be able to use it.
My solution is keep the yacht club adults only and build a bar into the South gate pool. Take the keys when they go in and you have to blow to get them back and leave. Otherwise it's an accident waiting to happen.

Anonymous said...

Can't these mothers take a cooler or their own drinks to the other pools?

Anonymous said...

I lived there for eight years,I had children and took them to the pools.Once in a while my parents watched them so my husband and I could go to the adults pool. I appreciated the peace and quiet and was able to have a drink and rest.They should maybe allow kids on weekends and keep the weekdays for adults only.