Oxford Pool Status
Oxford, January 10, 2012: On January 10, 2012, the Commisioners of Oxford introduced Ordinance No. 1202, entitled "AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF OXFORD TO DECLARE CERTAIN LAND SURPLUS LAND, AND TO MAKE SAID LAND AVAILABLE TO THE YMCA OF THE CHESAPEAKE FOR THE CREATION OF A RECREATIONAL AQUATIC AND FITNESS CENTER AVAILABLE FOR USE BY MEMBERS OF THE OXFORD AREA COMMUNITY AND MEMBERS OF THE YMCA".
The Commissioners have scheduled an informational meeting which will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 1:00 pm, and a public hearing will be held on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 7:30 pm, both in the meeting room at Town Hall. All residents of the Oxford area are encouraged to attend to share their views on this important matter or, alternately, to submit their comments in writing to the Commissioners prior to the public hearing. A vote of the Commissioners on the Ordinance will follow the public hearing.
For further information, including a copy of the complete Ordinance, please go to the home page on the Town of Oxford's website, or click here .
Oxford, December 20, 2011. The Oxford Commissioners held an informational meeting on December 20, 2011, devoted to the Oxford Aquatic & Fitness Center.
Kathy Radcliffe gave a synopsis of the project from its conception seven years ago as a pool operated by the Oxford Pool Committee to the current plan of a Fitness & Aquatic Center operated by the YMCA of the Chesapeake. The Oxford Pool Committee will become the advisory board of the YMCA regarding operational matters, such as hours of operation and fees to be charged.
Architect Ward Bucher gave a PowerPoint presentation of the two-acre site at the east end of East Pier Street and concept design of the pool and buildings. The year-round Fitness Center will include an activity room for group exercise and multiple exercise machines for cardiovascular exercise and a small community coffee and sitting area. The seasonal Aquatic Center will include an outdoor, clamshell shaped pool with a sloped bottom for easy access, 3 lap lanes, pool teaching shelves, activity equipment for children, and a deep-water area for treading water and other activities. The bathhouse will include a reception area, office, first aid room, storage, Men and Women's bathrooms, snack area, pump room and a covered outdoor picnic and activity area with picnic tables.
Robbie Gill, Executive Director of the Y of the Chesapeake answered all questions and made it clear that the mission of the Y is strengthening community.
Commissioner Dunbar encouraged all comments be directed to the commissioners and that they are welcome between now and the next Commissioners' Meeting on January 10, 2012, when the commissioners will either take the next step to lease the land to the Y of the Chesapeake or turn down the request.
A model of the concept design of the pool and buildings will be available for viewing in the Town Office.
The engineering site easement and concept design presented at the Commissioners' meeting are shown below. You can also download Adobe pdf copies of the easement and the concept plan .
The dimensions of the property shown below are for representational purposes only and will be finalized when the final design and site plan are completed, after collaboration with the Talbot County YMCA and the Oxford Pool committee and review and approval by the Oxford Town Commissioners.
Oxford, December 31, 2010. Residents of the Town of Oxford will be receiving a letter outlining the Oxford YMCA Pool / Wellness Center project with their Fourth Quarter 2010 water bill. For a downloadable copy of the letter in pdf format, please click here.
Oxford, March 31, 2010. Residents of the Town of Oxford will be receiving a letter outlining the Oxford / YMCA Pool project with their First Quarter 2010 water bill. For a downloadable copy of the letter in pdf format, please click here.
To download a pdf copy of the March 12, 2010 article published by The Star Democrat, please click here.
Oxford, March, 2010. The Oxford Pool has a wonderful new development to announce. Recently, representatives of the pool committee met with the President of the Talbot County YMCA, Mr. Robbie Gill, and his Chief Development Officer to discuss the YMCA and the Oxford Pool. They discussed the Oxford Pool project and its progress and current status, as well as the YMCA and its expansion plans underway in Talbot and other Mid-Shore counties. The Oxford Pool representatives enquired whether the YMCA would be interested in partnering with the Oxford Pool to co-create a small satellite YMCA facility in Oxford. He confirmed that the YMCA would "love to be a part of a project like the Oxford Pool." Following this meeting, he presented the idea to the Talbot County YMCA Board and they voted in favor of cooperating with the Oxford Pool to create a YMCA pool / small satellite facility.
If a joint project can go forward, the pool committee's intent is for the project to be a strong collaboration between the Oxford Pool board and the YMCA board in order to best create a win-win situation for the interests of Oxford and the YMCA. Mr. Gill has been very agreeable to the idea of having a facility the citizens of Oxford would desire. Clearly, this collaboration is at a very preliminary stage and there are a host of issues to be addressed, processed and approved before a joint project can go forward.
This development is a tremendous plus for the Oxford Pool project on many levels: the YMCA has an $8 million endowment; it has just completed $4 million of a $5 million dollar capital fundraising campaign; it has the trained staff, strong liability insurance, as well as a strong base of family memberships along Oxford Road. In short, what the Oxford Pool is endeavoring to create, the YMCA already excels at and has the expertise.
The YMCA mission is:
"With Christian principles as our foundation, our mission is to foster opportunities for individuals, families, and community that strengthen healthy spirit, mind and body for all."
On Tuesday, March 9, the Oxford Pool will be on the agenda for the Oxford Town Commissioners' meeting. Robbie Gill will be attending to present the YMCA's position in support of partnering with the Oxford Pool project and to answer any preliminary questions the Commissioners may have. We hope all supporters of the Oxford Pool / YMCA will attend to show their support of this exciting development. Hopefully, we will be able to soon create a project with the YMCA that will enhance the resources of Oxford and increase its wellness programs and activities.
Oxford, October 2009. The Pool Committee is presently working with the Commissioners of Oxford on finalizing the site selection for the pool. The location being discussed is at the east end of East Pier Street in Oxford, adjacent to the baseball field. The current plans, which are not yet final, call for a pool approximately 25 yards long and 35 feet wide, with a separate children's pool. The main pool will be three-to-five feet deep and handicap accessible. There will also be a poolhouse with toilets, showers and changing areas. A fitness room is also planned. There will be outdoor seating areas with tables.