Possibly a new field

[Chad]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Would you travel to Lewis County, WA to airsoft on a new and premier field? 2 hours south of Tacoma and Puyallup.

Any input is appreciated.

[Kiyoshi]

maybe but...Who owns it? Is it BLM land? Pics, size, how close to what highway. I'll need WAY more info before I Say yes or no.

[Chad]

Sir,

I apologize, I should have presented this idea in a more clear sense. I am a veteran with an idea/dream. Currently I am attempting to talk to you the players and to see what the players want. As of right now there is not a field. I apologize again for throwing the idea out there like there was already a field. This idea is in its adolecense and right now I am attempting to see the potential outcome.

To put it short, I want what the players want. An affordable and premier Airsoft Park with multiple fields and a great environment for newcomers and experienced veterans. To give a brief glimpse, I want to make the "SC Village" of Airsoft. (SC Village is a paintball park is socal for those who havn't expereienced it yet.)

Sorry for any confusion and your input is very important.

[Kiyoshi]

Ah gotcha. Don't mind me if I sound a bit abrasive. Just got done with a graveyard shift. And don't call me sir I work for a living lol! what branch did you serve with?

[Diegunner]

That's a long drive but if you can build an impressive field i would consider going but it would have to be good enough to make to make a 3 hour round trip worth it.

[Chad]

Gentlmen,

U.S. Army - I served with 2nd Battalion 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard - "Patriots") 3rd Stryker Brigade 2nd Infantry Division.

Currently I am attending school for my Business Administration w/Management Emphasis Degree.

I agree it is a long drive and I understand it has to be amazing and affordable. I want to create an experience that kicks you in the teeth, stomps on your body but not your $$wallet$$ and leaves you wanting more. I want the younger crowd to say "drink water, and drive onto the next objective." Out with the days of rollercoaster theme parks; in with the days of simulated warzones teaching honor, leadership, comradare, teamwork, fitness and just a blast of a good time.

Instead of the usual watercooler and school locker talk of what you did on the weekend. People will be talking about how they were inserted into a battlefield, assaulted the objective, rescused the hostage and extracted by ATV's, Jeep etc.

California is a homestead for extreme sports; so to just break even with California will be a huge challenge.

I understand this isn't something new you have heard someone say. I only ask you humor these posts as you've done before for the potential to create something amazing and worthwhile.

Chad

[McNair]

If it's two hours south of Tacoma, it's not that far of a drive, considering Seattle is 3 hours. SO it's one hour from Portland. Someone in Vancouver has nothing to complain about considering most fields are at least 1+ hour from Portland.

[Evil Zergling137]

Yeah, 1 hour from portland is fine.

[Icepick]

Lewis County is just a bit North from Kelso, right?

Also, if you are going to make a new field that incorporates both man made structures and the natural environment I'd love to come out and play! I'm getting tired of pushing through brush all the time.

[Darius137]

The simple answer is yes. People will come to an airsoft field if you make it properly.

The problem you'll run into is that people won't travel an hour or more from their homes to play regularly, so your primary business will be local kids. Also those kids all have paintball guns, so you'll basically open another paintball field and have occasional airsoft games.

Also, it will cost probably a million to start this venture counting land, buildings and coding, and you're 25. I hope you do make a field, but I feel like I'm part of a large group that doesn't expect this to come to anything solid.

[Chad]

Sir,

I understand your view and believe me when I say, completely agree with it. I remember when I was much younger playing paintball; how many times someone would say I am going to open a new field. Did they ever happen? No. Did ANY ever happen? No sir they did not. In addition to the "stereotypical" open a field ploy, I am 25 and understand a good majority will think I am inexperienced, ill-equipped, ill-prepared, or what have you. Although I implore you or anybody else to see passed the age generalization.

I am also completely aware of the financial costs of opening a paintball and/or airsoft field as well as have experience of working in the industry before the military. I understand my venture's business plan and my investor/financial networking will have to be methodical, detailed and explosive.

Of the many things that the military has equipped me with, and the two I love the most are a severe amount of motivation and a fierce will to win.

As I did say this idea is in its adolescence, I am only asking to humor the idea and provide feedback if you have a chance.

Chad

[Chad]

Welshy,

The entry fee is a big problem and properly marketing it as well. I've been brainstorming for a while on how to solve the "I'll just play on my land instead of paying $20 per visit for a few hours or $40 for an entire day." (Just example prices I have found across the country and Washington.)

So let’s not charge them PER visit. Perhaps a monthly/seasonal/annual package deals? Different packages offer different perks and will be much more affordable. How would people feel about testing their skills against or playing with actual "Operators" or Law Enforcement SWAT members? These are just ideas though. I am very aware I will need much more than lucrative prices and grassy fields to succeed at this mission.

Yeah, the structures are going to be a problem. I have not yet tackled how I would pull that off.

At the moment I am in the process of acquiring the information on the exact kind of zoning and permission for an Airsoft field. Seems I am very unlucky with catching the needed person at the right time to get this information at the county. Although I am sure I will have an answer or round-a-bout of what I'll need by end of business today.

Thank you all for your feedback and input.

I will continuously monitor and respond to questions or comments by people. It is not my intention to get anyone’s hopes up but I don't intend to leave anyone hanging after mentioning something like this. If this bus crashes and burns I will inform, but I don’t tend to go down with this idea without fighting.

Chad

[McNair]

Hell, look at people here bitching about $50 entry fees for events that are every third or fourth month.

That's because it's the basically the same game at the same field every couple months.

[DJ]

A suggestion for structures, Look into shipping containers that are no longer fit for shipping/ rail transport. I have seen some pretty impressive multi-story structures made from tnese. They can be modded in many ways.

[Chad]

Structures: My wife and I were brainstorming about the types of building involved. They need to be interchangeable and changed every two weeks possibly. (This 'two week' course change is something was just tossing around). We both agree the conex/shipping container would work out well. Although professional plywood structures will be a must because of the ease of changing the battlefield.

Packages: Yes we will have both per hour/day rate and member packages; after saying this I absolutely despise hourly rates when it comes to Laser Tag/Paintball etc. etc. I always felt cheated when I was younger when I was told my time was up. As for the packages, thus far we've concluded that one of the packages will cover all your monthly play fees plus it'll cover each and every event we have that month (so in theory if you paid for a month and that same month we had 2 or 3 events, you wouldn't have to pay any charge to attend and play at said events)

Chad