Possibly a new field

[Payback]

I don't think changing structures every two weeks would be necessary. Maybe obstacles within the structures. Or if you have the cash just buy a large yard forklift to pick up the shipping containers and move around when they are double stacked.

[DJ]

I don't think changing structures every two weeks would be necessary. Maybe obstacles within the structures. Or if you have the cash just buy a large yard forklift to pick up the shipping containers and move around when they are double stacked.

Double stacked? The fire training structure at Brooks has em' 6 to 8 high with cat walks......go for broke!

[Farmer]

Another yet slightly more permanent structure, try either railroad ties or telephone pole type construction.

Granted they would make better "walls" or barriers then buildings, but with semi-permanent shipping containers and movable-ish barriers, games could change dramaticly with relative ease.

I have played other types of games where we used "castles" made out of pole and tie materials and it was fun for a change of pace.

The most important thing to me, either when paintballing or doing other activities is the staff. Is the staff at "xyz" shop/field knowledgable, friendly, helpful. Does the field/shop give a "good vibe". I know that is the hardest thing to quantify, but sometimes, it can be the deciding factor.

[NFS_Shadow]

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.

Bingo. These go for about 1000 a piece and they can be cut and welded into almost anything and they will withstand the weather fabulously. Other stuff should be a poured concrete base with plywood built up around it for a one story building. Secure, and the weather shouldn't completely rape them. Also try and use corrugated metal roofing for everything, we get lots of rain here and the metals cheap and holds up for a long time. You will also of course need some very good planning and structure to your games. The common game around here if i've done my math right (sniperzden game with 80 people) nets about 3200 and those only get hosted about once a month. I suggest also opening a pro-shop on site which will bring in some cash flow. If you want something that the kids will come to model your field after a Call of duty map. They'll flock by the hundreds to play on it. I personally like a mix of MOUT and timber with small structures scattered around it. Camp R&R but with a larger more developed village and a few more large dug in bunkers. Multiple story building are always amazing. Best of luck to you.

[Chad]

Farmer: We have not considered railroad ties or telephones. Outstanding idea! Also as far as field staff goes, if all the stars align and the park opens; I was hoping to appeal to experienced players and teams for staff. I am predicting I will not be able to afford initially to pay individuals to ref. So I figure I would cut any costs for playing for the month for my refs; this is still a rough draft. We also wanted teams and experienced players to come out to the field and play for free for a weekend so they can give us their input and feedback. Like a dry opening before the grand opening.

I don't want any "elitist" attitude or presence in the park at all. From staff to players, everyone should be approachable and friendly. With such an adrenaline filled game and the fact it is milsim/ simcombat it can be tough but nobody needs to be a tool.

NFS Shadow: My wife and I were discussing the popular first person shooters including M.W., C.O.D., Halo etc. and very much agree of incorporating aspects of maps and the games into our park. We haven’t talked much about the size or what our Pro-Shop will have in it.

Welshy: Exactly what I had in mind for two of the fields. Like it was said earlier we're going for broke. We're not going to be cheap about this; but we will be cost effective. Spend it to make it.

Also for event games, we were discussing themed games for Halloween, Christmas time, etc. I was thinking along the lines of for a Halloween event: We drop in 5-10 people at night. Your mission to dispose of the Killer Clown force garrisoned at "Town A." We would have people dress up like the clown from IT. (Type IT clown in Google and you'll catch my drift- Pennywise is his name.)

Another idea was to drop players in with only pistols and shotguns for 24 hours and they have to take out the zombie horde investing the Park.

Thanks for the input guys! It is very much appreciated.

We have only recently begun on this venture. Our initial step of finding the exact Zoning and Permits we need is taking longer than expected...since I am finding it difficult to just talk to a county planner. So we'll be patient and hope our emails and voicemails will get answered here in the very very near future.

Chad

[Switchback]

Short answer is yes. I would drive to play at a field with CONEX containers, as long as it was modeled after a "real-world" type of feel, and didn't feel cluttered or cheap. *cough cough; christmas lights, laser equipment, human silhouette targets, crappy spraypaint "graffiti" and awkward cheesy environmental add-ins that feel more like trash*
And dear God! No sand!

[Chad]

Switchback: My goal is to have it be as life-like and real as possible. Laser lights are on our mind; although more of a night event with something crazy. Not cheesy no no. I don't want to make a cheesy cheap experience. I want to create something new and exciting. During Christmas time is it possible to get hardcore 25-40 yrs. old players to get psyched up and enjoy trekking through the woods at night when an arty sim goes off and green laser lights turn and their assaulted by killer space elves?

I understand it’s outlandish but these are the kind of ideas we want to take and make into an experience that’s real and incredibly fun.

Also we had just heard back from the county. Our next step will be searching for land and setting up a presubmittal conference with the county. We are also beginning the rough draft of our business plan for investors and banks.

Chad


Edit: Yes there will be no sand....I have had enough of the sand as most veterans have. Also I don't want to clean sand out of our rentals. I had my fair share of cleaning sandy weapons already.

[NFS_Shadow]

If this does go through and you build shit, hold community build days.

Yes. I would happily come help you build your field in my time off if it meant we got to airsoft after the work was done or we got free admittance to an event every once in a while.

http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&authuser=0&biw=1366&bih=667&tbm=isch&tbnid=3NiKiJWNN_j1JM:&imgrefurl=http://forum.mnairsoft.org/viewtopic.php%3Ff%3D2%26t%3D23856&docid=n8lEKD8bQkCnuM&imgurl=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/2551499591_1ee9d539b6.jpg&w=500&h=333&ei=ZbXsT57DHZD8rAG3ye3LBQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=192&vpy=169&dur=426&hovh=178&hovw=264&tx=137&ty=53&sig=107758118553315164931&page=1&tbnh=147&tbnw=202&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:73

[Chad]

NFS Shadow: If my eyes aren't mistaken, that looks like NTC Fort Irwin, CA. I do agree it would be outstanding to have that much detail into it and we will attempt 110% to do it within feasible means.

At the moment we are creating diagrams of our park to allow us to estimate the start-up cost for each field. The fields themselves will be based on maps in certain video game titles. Each field will fit a set theme of course. The materials we are incorporating for each field are as follows:

Mother Nature
Conex/Shipping Containers
Plywood
"Decommissioned" Vehicles
Straw Bales
Railroad Ties
Netting
Possible T-Barriers? Have yet to research the cost of T-Barriers.

Also we'll use an earthmover/bulldozer/tractor to push/move dirt in fence mounds about waist and head level height. If you guys know what T-Barriers are that’s what I want to do but with dirt. These fields will not be slapped together with all the materials above. We will use each material on certain fields to fit the proposed theme of the field.

Our current rough draft field sizes are as follows:

Fire Teams: 6-10 Players: 3on3 - 5on5
Squads: 20 Players: 10on10
Platoon: 40 Players: 20on20
Company: 80 Players: 40on40

Certain scenarios will involve an uneven amount on each team i.e. Team A (10 People) have to assault a heavily dug in and defended Team B (5 People) Team B will have the geographical advantage plus some other advantages.

Chad

[DJ]

Just some words of experience. Avoid straw bales as they soak up water and become a pain, especially when they break ( I use em for erosion control) The same goes for sandbags. Unless they are kept out of the sun, they break down too fast to make them any good in this climate ( 1-2 seasons max). I would also avoid rail road ties unless they are covered with something else ( dirt etc). When they get warm the creosote comes oozing out and gets all over anything it touches. In the military this is no big deal as the gear is all bought and paid for by Uncle Sam. When the gear is on your dime, its sucks to have creosote all over your expensive stuff.
I'm not sure how close you are going to be to the port of Kalima, there is a big container facility there, go and make some friends, see if you can co opt someone with some authority to help/loan/give you stuff. A good resource.
Avoid buying equipment like forklifts or other big stuff. The rental yard is your friend. Then you can return it and not be responsible for maintainence and storage. A tractor with a loader / forks and mower would probably be the max of what I would do (have) . Plus I use mine for farming too. Don't become "equipment poor". Best of luck with this.

[Chad]

DJ: Thank you for the information on the drawbacks of railroad ties and straw bales. As for the containers I will have to head to the local ports and if not there I'll have to kiss a$$ and shake hands in Tacoma/Seattle.

Luckily just before checking this we ruled out straw bales but didn’t think of the rail road ties. Thanks again for that. I was also able to develop a simple concept into making two of our CQB shoot houses easily changeable. Both shoot houses will be made out of different material. Involves netting and Plexiglas.

Also we are at a great benefit since the family has two tractors in the area. I wasn't thinking about buying any heavy equipment. Only thing we have in mind of purchasing are mowers or pull behind brush cutters. Have to keep the field pretty.

Thanks again for the continued input.

Chad

[Snake_Eyes]

I havent read this anywhere yet but being a military man myself I hate going to the same CQB shoot house over and over. You could pitch your park to the LE and Military (Fort Lewis and National Guard) and have them come, use the weapons and train at your facility. It beats the hell out of yelling bang bang, and it adds an element of fun to the training. I got my unit to purchase Airsoft M4s for MOUT and now everyone loves MOUT days.

[Chad]

Snake_Eyes: A big concern we have is the ability to attract L.E. and Military to our park. We will do hand to hands with our local L.E. here in the county to see what they would need to come to the park. Same with military. I still have "brothers" on JBLM, WA although they are deployed right now.

Also we have decided we will require use of field BB's only. I never liked this when I played at paintball parks; having to buy their paint. That being said we agreed to make it as close to wholesale prices as we get it.

Currently our idea of monthly package rates will all be under $55.00. $55.00 being the most expensive package.

At the moment our plan includes 6 fields. 5 fields being constructed villages and CQB courses. The 6th will be our forest battleground. We will plan for more after speaking to local L.E. to see what there "needs" are to train. We have the rough draft maps finished. Now we're locating the best prices for our materials. Next week we will begin traveling to different lots for sale in the county. I start school again next week as well, so it'll be another benefit for possibly networking and other opportunities.

If anyone knows where I can find a passenger plane shell or used buses for a reasonable price please let me know.

Thanks again,
Chad

[Snake_Eyes]

Best place to get plane shells, buses, and old vehicles are government auctions or going to an airport and asking them if they had any fuselages for sale. Typically they will get bought up fast by airplane part companies to be broken down and resused. Also junkyards and large scale scrap yards are good places.

I did a little research and there are 2 notable airplane junkyards in Oregon, one in Portland and another in Redmond. I'm sure there are some in Washington as well.

[Chad]

Snake_Eyes: Thanks for the bit of research and info.

Luckily we've been able to find bulk containers at a inexpensive price.

I have a question for you gentlemen: Everyone likes leveling up and progressing in whatever they are doing. Would players enjoy this? I do have a few ideas all being non-cheesy. You would rank up and be offered certain awards. Then the rank system would have to be reset after certain time periods.

Chad