Yacht Club ballroom gets touchup, courtesy of Public Works team

(March 18, 2021) Ocean Pines Public Works recently finished several renovations at the Yacht Club, designed to get the ballroom ready for upcoming weddings and special events.   

General Manager John Viola met in November with Ralph DeAngelus, cofounder of the Matt Ortt Companies that runs the Yacht Club, to discuss maintenance for the Yacht Club facilities, with an emphasis on banquets. The renovations that followed were a result of that conversation. 

Public Works Director Eddie Wells said the project included removing wallpaper and painting the ballroom and second-floor hallway, as well as changing all lightbulbs to more efficient LED lighting.   

In the bridal suite, Public Works replaced the carpet, painted, changed out the lights, and put new outlet covers on all the light switches.   

Public Works finished the work during three weeks in January, while the Yacht Club was closed. Ocean Pines had budgeted $14,500 for the project, and the Public Works team came in under budget.   

DeAngelus is hopeful that the improvements will help boost business.   

“Public Works did a great job with the repairs and maintenance,” he said. “They got everything completed under budget and ahead of the expected timetable. Their hard work sets us up for a record-breaking season.”  

Lia Isel, who manages weddings and events for the Yacht Club, said she is grateful for the efforts of Public Works.  

“They have been such great sports about the work and process this year,” she said. “It just goes to show what a little paint and new carpet can do to showcase this great venue.”  

Isel said she continued to offer tours and book weddings while the renovations occurred.   

“Everyone that toured during this time didn't mind seeing the work in progress, and they actually loved the fact that the Ocean Pines Yacht Club tries to keep it fresh and kept up for all our future events that are held there,” Isel said. “They all said it showed we cared and took pride in our venue. 

“The Yacht Club has also been continuing to do food sample tastings with our 2021 couples that have already booked with us, and they are completely blown away by how great the room looks and are excited to be moving forward with the wedding process with this year,” she continued. “We will continue to strive and hopefully exceed everyone's expectations when they tour our event space and see that breathtaking view at the Yacht Club, or any of the Venues at Ocean Pines facilities.” 

For more on the Venues at Ocean Pines, including booking and contact information, visit www.venuesatoceanpines.com.