February Supplemental 2026 Volume 3, Issue 7.1

Karin's Board Update

CA Board Votes to Move Forward on Splash Pad Plan in Defiance of Residents

In a stunning vote that ignored what residents across Columbia said they wanted, this past Thursday the Columbia Association (CA) Board of Directors voted 5-4 to move forward with a plan to spend $350,000 on consultants to provide a concept for a splash pad that would result in demolishing one of our outdoor pools.

During the budget discussion I moved that we remove the $350,000 splash pad concept plan from the budget entirely and the motion was seconded by Eric Greenberg (River Hill).

$350,000 Remains in the CA Budget to Fund the Splash Pad Concept to Replace an Outdoor Pool

Voted to REMOVE the splash pad concept plan:

Reg Avery (Long Reach)

Karin Emery (Oakland Mills)

Eric Greenberg (River Hill)

Bill Santos (Wilde Lake)

Voted to KEEP the splash pad concept plan:

Collin Sullivan (Town Center)

Michael Golibersuch (Owen Brown)

Skye Anderson (Hickory Ridge)

Delilah Holmes (Dorsey Search)

Ashley Vaughn (Harpers Choice)

Wes Fuhrman (Kings Contrivance) was not in attendance.

Spending $350,000 of residents' money on a consultant to come up with a concept plan that will result in losing an amenity that residents love is, in my opinion, a total waste of the money you pay to CA each year. I would much rather see the money go towards improving our tot lots/play areas.

No resident has ever been asked if they would like to see their outdoor pool demolished and replaced with a splash pad. However, when residents found out about CA's proposed plan, they came out in freezing cold temperatures to a Town Hall in January to voice their opposition. A resident in Bryant Woods created a "Save Our Pool" petition that garnered hundreds of signatures. Additionally, the board received multiple emails from residents opposing the plan and heard from residents during resident speak out who opposed the plan.

I believe that once we start down the path of considering removing an amenity, and especially a pool, we will never get it back. Other than low attendance due to the pools being unaffordable for a large portion of our residents, no other reason was provided as to why we would want to ultimately demolish a pool and replace it with a splash pad.

While the residents of Reston in Virginia, are about to enjoy their third summer of accessing their outdoor pools as a benefit of paying the annual charge and not having to pay extra, CA is moving in the opposite direction and not even indicating that closing a pool will in any way reduce how much you pay.

Oakland Mills Village Board Position on Converting a Pool to a Splash Pad

The Oakland Mills Village Board sent the following letter to the Columbia Association Board of Directors.

Jim Rouse Letter to CA Board

In 1993 the CA Board of Directors was considering changes to the outdoor pools and Jim Rouse, Columbia's founder, wrote the following letter.

The Next CA Board Meeting

The CA Board's next scheduled meeting is Thursday, February 26th at 7pm at CA Headquarters, 6310 Hillside Court, Suite 100, Columbia, Maryland 21045.

Can't make the meeting? Use the links below to let CA know what you think and don't forget to share this newsletter with friends and neighbors who might not be getting it.

Disclaimer: This column reflects the views of Columbia Council Representative Karin Emery only and not necessarily those of the CA Board or the Oakland Mills Village Board of Directors

Tell The CA Board of Directors What You Think

You can share your thoughts and opinions with the Columbia Association and its Board of Directors.

1. Email the CA Board of Directors - This link will take you to an online form to complete that is sent to the entire CA Board of Directors.

2. Sign Up for Resident Speak Out - Use this link to sign up for Resident Speak Out. Before every CA Board meeting residents are given the opportunity to speak to the Board either in person or virtually, about any issue that's on their mind with respect to CA. Individuals are allotted 3 minutes and groups are allotted 5 minutes. You need to sign up by 5pm the day prior to the Board meeting. The Board is no longer allowed to ask follow-up questions during Resident Speak Out. Instead, the chair of the Board will thank you and request that in addition to speaking, you please submit your testimony in writing in case any Board member would like to contact you with questions. Despite this lack of in-person interaction, your testimony is still meaningful and many of your fellow residents are watching the live streamed meetings.

Watch Columbia Association Board Meetings Live or In Person

Residents are welcome and encouraged to attend Columbia Association (CA) Board Meetings in person. Board meetings are held at 6310 Hillside Court, Suite 100, Columbia, MD 21046. If you are unable to attend in person, CA broadcasts Board Meetings live on its YouTube channel. You can use the Watch link found on the CA website for upcoming meetings: Watch CA Board Meetings Live or you can go directly to CA's YouTube Channel and stream the meetings from there: Columbia Association Live Stream

Board Meeting Schedule

The Columbia Association Calendar of Events

Click on the link to see the full Columbia Association Calendar of Events.

Columbia Association Calendar of Events

Get A Columbia Card for Discounts & Guest Passes

If you live on CA-assessed property but don't purchase a CA membership, you can request a free Columbia Card to access our facilities at a reduced, pay-as-you-go rate.

To get your Columbia Card, you can fill out the online form. You can also reach out to CA’s Customer Care Team via email at CustomerCare@ColumbiaAssociation.org or by calling 410-730-1801, and choosing option 6, between the hours of 9:00AM and 4:00PM Monday - Friday.

SECOND SUNDAY FREE ADMISSION: All Columbia Cardholders also get free admission to CA’s outdoor pools on the second Sunday of each month during the summer season.

SUMMER BONUS: Columbia Cardholders receive 4 single-use guest passes per family on their Columbia Cardholder accounts. These guest passes are automatically added. The passes can be used at any of CA’s 23 outdoor pools throughout the summer, Monday – Thursday only (excluding Holidays). They cannot be used at other Columbia Association facilities or programs.

Meet Up With Karin at the OM Farmers' Market

See you in the spring when the Farmers' Market returns to the Village Center.

HELP!! Oakland Mills High School Needs You!!

From the Oakland Mills High School PTSA:

OM community, we need your help one last time to contact Board members and ask them to recall their vote and restore renovations for OMHS to their FY27 budget. The Board has a work session this Thursday 2/19 before their budget vote on Thursday 2/26 at 7pm. Please read our community letter (tinyurl.com/OMHSRenovations) to learn about our fight and information about how to send emails to Board members in support of renovations at OMHS.

We’re also asking you to join us for an in-person protest on Thursday 2/26 outside the Board of Education at 4pm and inside for their 7pm budget vote. Thank you for your support!

Announcements

Please Consider Serving on the 55+ Aging Well in Columbia Advocacy Committee

The mission of the Aging Well in Columbia Advocacy Committee (AWCAC), is to identify to the Columbia Association (“CA”) the special needs of Columbia's seniors, herein defined as Columbia residents who are 55 years of age or older (55+).

Goals

1. Inform and advocate to CA on community issues and opportunities as they relate to Columbia’s 55+ population.

2. Review CA policies and programs related to the mission of this Committee and recommend changes as appropriate.

3. Assist CA in disseminating information about the needs and concerns of Columbia’s 55+ population.

4. Encourage a broad range of businesses, organizations and associations to contribute to the richness of the quality of life of Columbia's 55+ population.

5. Increase public awareness of Columbia's 55+ population as a distinct and active population within the Columbia community.

For more information contact Virginia (Ginny) Thomas at ginny.thomas65@gmail.com or call at 410-992-7984 if you are considering volunteering or if you want to share with us your concerns about the needs of 55+ individuals.

Other Local Newsletters

Oakland Mills Community Association Mailing List

The Oakland Mills Community Association shares information on local events as well as updates on maintenance going on in your neck of the woods. For example, street repaving. A good list to be on.

Click here to sign up for the OMCA newsletters.

The Columbia Association offers three newsletters:

Do More With CA - a weekly newsletter with all things CA
CA Digest - monthly community updates and events
CA Fit - Keeping health and wellness top of mind

Click here to sign up for one or all of the CA Newsletters .

The Inner Arbor Trust (IAT) puts on free concerts throughout the year. You don't want to miss out! Scroll to the bottom of the main page after clicking on the link below to add your name to their mailing list.

Click here to sign up for the IAT Mailing List

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