A new field

PhattyMcPhatt · 02-14-2006, 04:05 PM

As I stated in another post Myself and several other people are interested in starting a field in the Salt Lake area, but our investors and ourselves as well are worried about some of the details that go into starting and maintaing a field. We would like not to be competition with other local fields but to work together with them to help strengthen and grow paintball in our community. What are some of the things that all of you as paintball players would like to see in a field? For example do you all think a pro-shop that sells gear, guns, ect. is necessary for a field? And any other things that you all would like to have in a field. We will post more of the ideas that we have as time progresses.

Once again thanks for your input!!!

paintballbrad · 02-14-2006, 04:49 PM

it would be nice to have a field that was both outdoor and indoor. I prefer an airball field. You need a knowlegable staff that can answer questions and give advice. I don't think it is mandatory to have a proshop but since you would need a business license to manage field there would be no reason not to sell equipment too.

roberto · 02-14-2006, 05:07 PM

A reball field would be nice but probably wont happen any time soon, so a pro-shop is nice in a field incase you break something you can be there to get a part or something like that. I dont know how well it would do being real close to another field because people will have to choose between which is better or cheaper and some conflict might start.

krispy · 02-14-2006, 07:35 PM

Why would you put a field together that wouldnt be in competition with other fields. I would love to see a nice field open up in the state that is both indoor and outdoor and that has great prices (within reason) to cover costs and such and provide a great playing area for many players.

PhattyMcPhatt · 02-14-2006, 11:53 PM

We are considering a reball field, but have not came to a final conclusion, what do you guys think of a reball field, what do you think the advantage and disadvantages would be? This summer we will be traveling to a couple of the bigger fields in the nation and local to get advise from the field owners (paintball and reball), infact we already have a couple appointments set up and are looking forward to getting the input that they can give us, but the most important thing to us is to make this a players field were the players have a say in what is going on. We currently are looking for a facility that is easy to access and that will allow us to have an indoor and outdoor facility. We also are considering a small proshop that would stock mainly gear, such as jerseys, pants, pods, air tanks and other small things, markers will be sold mainly by order only and we of course are planning on having a consignment wall for all of you to sell your guns for little to NO fee. We will be looking to hire certified airsmiths and gun techs. We know that we will be in competition with local field but do not want to shut them down but find away that we can work together, and we think we have an idea of how we can make this happen. I can't go into to many details right now but please keep the ideas coming ! Like I said we want all of you to feel like you have had a part of this field, we are really excited and feel like we will really contribute to this sport in our area!!!

killawat2 · 02-15-2006, 10:09 AM

Reballs

PROS-
Place keeps clean
Cheaper for players

Cons-
People cheat
They get stolen

krispy · 02-15-2006, 10:26 AM

Reball... all balls and equipment must remain on field and all hoppers and pods are inspected as equipment leaves field. If players steal, they are only stealing from themselves as they would have less available balls available to play with in the future.

Pro's More buildings would be willing to allow rental of facilities for the cleanliness factor.

just as fun.

Cons

Cheating as mentioned above.... but it seems that many paintball players cheat now, so whats the difference.

Allen Turner · 02-15-2006, 11:56 AM

You asked for feedback so here it is. Brutally honest and based on ALLOT of history and experince.

I know that I will get flamed for my post but at least I am willing to stick my neck out and try to warn you.

I dont want to burst your bubble of excitement but I think you should research what you are proposing in depth. Then take a unbiased analysis of all the evidence and decide if its worth your money and time.

What you are propsing may seem "fresh and new" to you or to some of the younger crowd on this website but it has been tried many, many times.

Reality Checks:
1) If you open a field and store you ARE in competition with all existing fields (both comerical and outlaw). You divide the existing player base and its already too small to support the fields / stores we have.

2) Like it or not you are drawn into the policitcal divisions of group A verses group B. Not by your own choice thats just the situation. I am sick of the politics and whining in Utah paintball. Too much he said she said all the BS, none the less, it exists and it will blind side you as a business.

3) The dirty secret of paintball. THERE IS LITTLE PROFIT IN PAINTBALL!
I know many young players think there is gobs of money in paintball but most of the major fields & stores have other jobs to support our paintball effort; and why is that, because it's a low profit business.

4) Utah'ns are not willing to spend money for services, even good serice just ask any waiter or waitress. My fellow Utah'ns expect something for nothing every day, its the state moto I think. 😉

5) Your investors will expect a return on thier investment. You will have a hard time providing a return becuase there are not enough players to turn a good profit. Your investors would make more money by investing in the stock market or other businesses. At first they will think paintball is cool then after a year or two of little to no profit they will loose interest and with draw thier support.

Historical Record:
List of comerical Paintball fields and stores that have closed down, most for money reasons but some for other reasons. This is just from my recolection some of the veterans know of TONS of other places that have failed as well. All with well intentioned players who started it.

Closed in 2006:
Battle Grounds

Closed in 2005:
Extreme paintball
Surplus Saver
Adrenaland Paintball
Spalt Paintball (one of the oldest fields still active)
J&J Speedball field
Adventure Zone (logan)

Closed in 2004:
JR's Extreme Paintball
S&S paintball
New Image Paintball (they were a successful store for many years)

2003 and Prior:
Showdown 1 & 2
Flash's Field & Shop
Gotcha Paintball Palace (this was a great indoor place for its time)
Straight shooter
Pro Arms
Predator Paintball (alpine)
The paintball Shop (logan)
American Paintball (utah co somewhere)
Numer 9 paintball (Kaysville)

The bottom line is that making a solid profit in paintball in Utah is difficult and many, many good people have lost thier shirts trying.

Call me if you want to talk in person 801-544-9844

pbmom · 02-15-2006, 12:24 PM

Allen is absolutely correct. If you are going into this business to make a living, you would do well to rethink your plans. A wise person once said "You can make a million dollars in paintball, you just have to start with two million!"

Those of us still in this business in Utah are in it for the love of the game, because we are never going to get rich doing it.

roberto · 02-15-2006, 01:49 PM

We should all have the goal in 06 to bring as many players to the sport as we can. If everyone got at least 2 people into tournament paintball this year then that would be a lot of people.

edit. Reball would be cool for teams to go out and do drills and learn a ton for cheap, but it wouldnt really be that fun to play games because theres no proof you get hit.