Tell me about your perfect safe zone...

[ExpandedOldPaintballs]

Morning all!
As a few of you are aware I am currently planning a new site in the Midlands (woodland)

I thought this would be a good opportunity to speak to the masses and ask:
What would your perfect safe zone/ base camp, or whatever you want to call it be like?

The site will be initially aimed at the public, but I want to expand to walk-on days and competition once established.

Go on, go mad!
obviously I have a limited budget but forget that for now.

 

[Tom]

A few of these will take big money so just bear them in mind for future options so you avoid choices today that will stop them in the future


Close proximity to parking - even better if the car park is beside the safe zone entry

If you can centralise the parking / safe zone and have game zones all around this also reduces walking to games
But late arrivals or drivers coming to pick up will be driving near game zones - so have signs etc warning to have windows up etc
But there will still be someone who arrives in a convertible
(Also avoid the zones alongside the route for the first and last games)

Consider the road / track type
Most sites are on some form of woodland and tend to have a gravel track
This probably isn't ideal for repeat custom for punters with big wallets that power down the track in their top cars getting scratched paintwork



A good ratio of cover & open
Eg basic cabin staging and an open area, with benching in both
Then for extra large groups & weather dependant expand cover with gazebos or strung tarp

Mini lockers for wallets, keys etc

Heating for the winter - eg a fireplace or cabins or one of them
Health & safety applies so this would be if you can get a traditional iron fireplace on legs

Recycle zone - places / somewhere for batteries, cans, boxes
(Even if you do end up bonfiring the boxes)

Game zone map board / briefing area

Free tea & coffee or good tea & coffee
A decent cup at a fair price is better than free hot drinks surrounded by wasps

Value added feature - power to staging
(But you end up paying for people to charge phones)

 

[ExpandedOldPaintballs]

Thanks again tom, Nothing unexpected there - Lockers are a good idea.
Also, one of my pet annoyances - DECENT toilets!!

 

[Tony Harrison]

If you are in the Midlands, go take a look at NPF.

They've been in the business for like 30 years. And in paintball terms, that's like going back to the middle ages - so to last that long, they must be doing something right.

 

[ExpandedOldPaintballs]

good idea - ive not been there for a good 10 years

having a McDonalds right next door is a bit of a cheeky bonus!!!

 

[Dusty]

These won't be in any order, just off the top of my head.

Preferably elevated above the game zone with a well netted viewing area eg safe zone up a hill if you have the option.

Dry cover and segregated changing for the times you'll have women there.

Available free hot drinks, this isn't expensive to provide but means an awful lot to cold wet and tired players on a bad day. We used to bring a couple of 5 litre flasks of boiled water.

Tuck shop with the usual selection of crisps and snickers bars etc. Small fridge with cold drinks for summer/hot days.

Clear and defined "reception" area

Single entrance to game zone, same one to be used on return with a defined marker drop off point beforehand. People will still try their luck and take a long walk just to bring a marker into the safe zone.

Your customers will only remember certain things,

The safe zone and what was available

The game formats, not the actual gaming area unless it has some stand out feature like a plane or something.

State of your equipment so make sure masks are clean and guns are working.

Banter with staff, add some humour into your safety brief and get the point across without hitlering it.

 

[Shepherd:03]

- A good spot to have group photos, in front of or even on a centrepiece item (plane, tank, castle ?), or a view of the playing fields. With a big banner of your site name of course
- A separate smoking area

 

[Kevin Winter]

All of the above, especially being able to watch games in progress. I also like to have somewhere store my kitbag off the ground and level, dry flooring.

 

[Sid Sidgwick]

My answer is simple-Check out Skirmish Nottingham, emulate that and you can't go far wrong.

 

[Canon Fodder]

One thing to consider is that at most sites you won't be allowed to build permanent structures.