ORCA – Ocean Reef Community Association History

The Ocean Reef Improvement Association or ORIA was formed in January, 1959 to manage all “city-type” services at Ocean Reef.

In 1984 ORC, Inc. Chairman Harper Sibley, Jr. announced that almost all of the developers’ land has been sold to homeowners and the Club was primarily in the resort-hotel business.  That remark, coupled with some special sewer problems where only ORIA could best help out, shortly brought Club and ORIA representatives to the table.  Mutual self-interest and the inevitable logic of residents governing themselves were quickly agreed.

On February 23, 1985 Ocean Reef residents assumed responsibility of ORIA with William Hutchinson as the Chairman.  The approximate 2,000 property-owning members became responsible for security, pest control, canal cleaning, the TORN newspaper, fire department, roads, sewers, vacant lot and public area maintenance, mailroom, solid waste collection and the telephone directory.

In 1992 the current ORCA Administrator, David C. Ritz, took the reins of the Association three months prior to Hurricane Andrew striking the community.  After the Hurricane had passed, ORCA Board Members were able to reach an agreement with Club owner Carl Lindner to purchase the Club.  This allowed the homeowners to gain control of both the community and the club and to control their destiny.

It was quickly decided that the post Andrew community should look significantly different than prior to the storm.  Landscape Architect Raymond Jungles was hired to create a master plan for landscaping, signage, lighting and other community amenities.

On August 1, 1994 ORCA created the North Key Largo Utility Corporation to acquire the sewage treatment from the Club.  Robert Morgan, the utility’s first chairman oversaw the floating of a $3 million bond to purchase the plant and complete a major upgrade to the facility.

In recent years ORCA has become a true community association managing and assisting such diverse groups as: Volunteer Fire Department, ORCAT, ORPAC (Ocean Reef Political Action Committee), Ocean Reef Foundation, Historical Society and the NKLUC (North Key Largo Utility Corp.) and the reverse osmosis system.

The Ocean Reef Community Association is a homeowner association that provides public safety and public works functions to the Ocean Reef Community. In addition to the above areas of responsibility, ORCA also acts as a management company for a variety of organizations at Ocean Reef including:

Ocean Reef Public Safety Department
The Ocean Reef Public Safety Department provides a friendly and consolidated approach to the delivery of security services, fire protection and emergency medical services for the Ocean Reef Community. Members of the department are dedicated to carrying out their responsibilities in a professional and courteous manner, taking pride in a wide range of services provided to the community.  

Ocean Reef Volunteer Fire Department
Owns the assets of the fire department but has no employees.

ORCAT
Non-profit organization with 3 employees. Controls the feral cat population at Ocean Reef.

North Key Largo Utility Corp.
Provide sewer service to the Ocean Reef Community. All homes, condos, and docks are attached to the sewer system. The utility also provides services to the Angler's Club.

Ocean Reef Reverse Osmosis Plant
Turns salt water into fresh water through the process of reverse osmosis. This involves pumping salt water from a 1200 foot well, running it through a series of filters which removes the salt and finally producing one million gallons of fresh water a day that is used to irrigate the golf course and community areas. NKLUC employees operate the plant.

Ocean Reef Political Action Committee(ORPAC)
The Ocean Reef Political Action Committee’s (ORPAC) organizational goal is to recognize and support candidates for public office who have demonstrated an understanding of issues important to the Ocean Reef Community Association, the Ocean Reef Club, and the Key Largo Anglers Club. Their willingness to constantly improve the quality of governmental services that we receive is a major priority of the Committee. ORPAC will identify issues important to the community, interview qualified candidates and make recommendations to our electorate.