If there’s something that encourages bonding more than shooting paint pellets at a friend, it hasn’t been invented yet.
At least this is what’s going through the heads of many paintball enthusiasts in the area.
This includes Barwick’s Tim Barron, who thanks to a $1,500 start-up provincial government grant from Summer Company Business, will run a paintball field on his family’s property.
He’ll receive a second $1,500 grant at the end of the summer.
Barron’s venture will open this Saturday (June 1) and he hopes it will be a hit in the area.
“It’s really fun and there’s nothing like that around here,” said the Grade 11 student at Fort High. “Plus, it’s something for people to do.”
Barron was the only one from the area who received a grant after his dad, Doug, spotted an ad in the newspaper.
“I had been thinking about joining the army until I saw the ad and I changed my mind,” he recalled.
Apparently this was the closest thing to it.
With help from the Northwestern Ontario Business Self-help Office, Barron was able to put together a good business plan. He owns 14 paintball guns which he bought in Timmins and plenty of ammunition, er, paint.
Cost is $30 per player, which includes use of protective equipment, gun, gear, and 150 paintballs. Games include “capture the flag” and “team elimination.”
While Barron finishes off the school year, the field only will be open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday. But starting in July, it will run Monday to Friday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.) and Saturdays from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Although he’s been only playing for one year on fields in Virginia, Mn. and Toronto, Barron said it’s time for another field to find its way to the area. Kenora has the closest paintball field
“It’s not that popular in Canada, but the paintball business is booming as far as a sports activity,” he noted.
Barron’s playing field, roughly the size of three tennis courts, is located on Highway 11 near Barwick. It’s the first house on the right after the reserve.
“They’ll be a big sign out in front so you can’t miss it,” said Barron, adding he’s expecting a healthy turnout for the opener after talking to several of his classmates.
“I’m pretty excited,” he enthused.