Amenities boost budget favorability to nearly $970,000

(Aug. 26, 2021) The Ocean Pines General Manager’s Office recently announced significant budget favorability for the first three months of the new fiscal year.
 
Based on the July financial report, Ocean Pines was favorable to budget for the month by about $231,000, and favorable roughly $970,000 in total for the first three months of fiscal year 2021-2022.
 
General Manager John Viola said approximately 80% of the year-to-date favorability was because of successes at Ocean Pines’ amenities, led by Golf, the Yacht Club, Aquatics, and Racquet Sports. The other 20% is timing and will offset during the remainder of the fiscal period, he said.
 
“Also, please keep in mind we still have nine months to go, and we appear to still be operating in uncertain times,” he said. 
 
Year to date, the combined Racquet Sports amenity is favorable to budget by almost $35,000. Aquatics is favorable by roughly $150,000, Golf is favorable about $210,000 and the Clubhouse Grille is favorable by about $46,000. Additionally, the Yacht Club is favorable approximately $208,000 and the Beach Club is favorable just over $70,000.
 
“All of that is organic in the sense that we’re building revenue, and that’s huge,” Viola said. “The numbers are up across the board. Compliments to everybody on what has been a true team effort.
 
“We, the Association, have invested in our amenities and it is beginning to show. We’ve also increased our programs and our spend over the last three years in roads, drainage and bulkheads, with positive results,” he continued. “We’re clearly operating on all cylinders right now.”
 
Recreation and Parks Director Debbie Donahue, who oversees Racquet Sports, said the drop-in play numbers are up for all three sports: Tennis, Pickleball and Platform Tennis. Memberships have also increased this year, she said. 
 
“Management implemented new procedures and daily processing, along with a midday attendant,” she said. “The members and guests have been great at signing in, and the staff has collected and processed drop-in fees regularly.”
 
Donahue said more people are booking lessons this season, thanks to the work of instructors like Racquet Sports Manager and Tennis Pro Terry Underkoffler, and Linda Horst.
 
“All these things combined have helped the Racquet Center have a very successful season so far,” she said.
 
Year to date, Aquatics revenues are more than $87,000 favorable to budget, while expenses are more than $61,000 favorable to budget.
 
"The Aquatics leadership team adjusted several things that helped contribute to the year-to-date performance," Aquatics Director Kathleen Cook said. 
 
That included deferring some expenditures, and not filling some full-time positions because of the inability to train during the peak season. 
 
"We also reduced hours at the indoor pool on non-peak times, to help fully staff the outdoor pools," Cook said. "And, instructional classes stayed indoors, so we didn't have to duplicate staffing resources."
 
She also credited strong customer service with helping to boost the numbers at the pools.
 
"This team has dealt with some of the most adverse situations we've had in a long time, but no matter where I've sent them, they've gone with a smile and they've greeted the customers warmly,” Cook said. "My team has worked tirelessly, and the most important thing is that they've kept everyone safe.”
 
PGA General Manager of Golf John Malinowski said rounds were up during the last three months, and the weather has been conducive to good course conditions. 
 
“Although it's been hot, it hasn't been hot and wet, as in years past,” he said. “The addition of Justin Hartshorne as superintendent and the work his team has been doing is paying off. The course is in great shape and the reviews are great. People are coming out to play.
 
“We're looking forward to the rest of the season and hopefully a good fall, and hopefully Mother Nature continues to help us out,” he added. 
 
Finance Director Steve Phillips said several factors contributed to the Food and Beverage success.
 
“More often than not we’ve had good weather on the weekends, which can be a big driver for the Beach Club numbers, as an example,” he said. “Weekend banquets have also been fully booked at the Yacht Club, so that was approximately $200,000 of gross revenue that we didn’t have last year, due to COVID.”
 
Phillips added that gross margins overall had improved, and he credited the Matt Ortt Companies for keeping a year-round staff in place. 
 
“Most places have struggled with staffing this year, as the pandemic limited the number of J-1 students available to work,” he said. “Because Matt Ortt and Ralph DeAngelus were able to keep their core staff in place all year, they really didn’t have those issues.”
 
Viola also said the use of [email protected] for general information questions and concerns has created efficiencies, and that has translated to further cost savings. 
 
“This has definitely improved our overall customer service and helped people to get their questions answered in a timely and professional manner,” he said. “Please continue to use [email protected] for all general inquiries.”