Airsoft Fields?

[Kielbasa]

Waht does it take to run an airsoft field? All of the places I've seen are already paintball parks that just run airsoft games, what kind of insurance do you need? Do you need a license to have a field? I was curious because I've always wanted to open a field when I was of age.

[Nevsky]

Well, this is a fun one... When I was with CGAT Bruce and I had the pleasure of chatting with the owner of Realms Of Ruin. She is a great resource, I say this because I asked the same thing you did. Insurance, insurance, insurance, that is what I took away from the discussion, the rest was the obvious stuff like business licence, tax licence, etc.

Like I said, the insurance for this stuff is outrageous, and why you might ask? Well because of people that just do not want to follow the rules. For instance, goggles!   probably one of the quickest ways to loose insurance coverage and hence shut your field down. Mind you the insurance you'd get is not as simple as choosing a company, it is not like car insurance, GEICO, Allstate, Progressive, etc. If my memory serves me correctly, there is only one company in the US that provides it.

All in all, I'd say it is better to support places like MAG where we can stay in one big group, pay our fees, follow other parks rules and have fun. Beyond that you'll need $$$$$ to open your "own" place and that is just for the land. I know I've probably made this as clear as mud for you and if anyone (Breech, Techy, etc) can give you a better understanding please do. The next time you are at a game take some time to get to know the owner and ask serious questions typically they are quite open about how it works, who knows you might end up with the ability to open another park!

[Kielbasa]

Thanks for the response, kinda thought no one wanted to divulge secrets is why there weren't any replies . I'd of course be interested in joining with a group, or association like MAG if I ever did open a field, for the ease and legitimacy of it, but I was just curious in general as to how you can even get coverage for a sport like airsoft.

[Nevsky]

I'm not sure how you'd "get" that coverage, you could ask Breech  he probably knows more on how to get it. I really wanted to open a field out this way (Dekalb) but with Stonehouse Park being prety close I'm not sure how well it would do? I have some serious ideas like airsoft only, camping and bus transportation for players but everything is in the "brain storm" stage right now and I need to find some more investors as well. Selling a pitch for an airsoft park is not an easy task ever, especially these days but as my Grandfather always taught me "where there is a will, there is a way" (now just imagine vodka breath and lots of cigarette smoke  ). Anyway hope this helps you, the coolest    ever invented started out as someone's dream, look at the airplane or the car! 

[Chavez]

First the land you own would have to be zoned for sporting activities like paintball or airsoft.  That alone can be a killer because many municipalities in the area do not support that.  Once you have the proper zoning, you need to get insurance as Dygalo said.  Now most of the time, airsoft insurance is NOT bought outright.  I have a friend in the business and he has told me that airsoft is pretty much a rider that is bought on top of paintball insurance, so you've got that cost as well.

The final piece of the puzzle is actually making money, and thats the problem.  Airsoft only places can't bring in enough business to survive.  They typically need to run themselves as paintball fields as well to make ends meet.  Even then, the money is not as big as you think it is.

[Nevsky]

First the land you own would have to be zoned for sporting activities like paintball or airsoft.  That alone can be a killer because many municipalities in the area do not support that.  Once you have the proper zoning, you need to get insurance as Dygalo said.  Now most of the time, airsoft insurance is NOT bought outright.  I have a friend in the business and he has told me that airsoft is pretty much a rider that is bought on top of paintball insurance, so you've got that cost as well.

The final piece of the puzzle is actually making money, and thats the problem.  Airsoft only places can't bring in enough business to survive.  They typically need to run themselves as paintball fields as well to make ends meet.  Even then, the money is not as big as you think it is.

Agreed, that is the one thing I failed to mention when talking to the owners. Money. It has to be for the love of the sport(s) because you will NOT get rich doing it. Thanks for helping out Chavez!

[Kielbasa]

Well of course it would be for the love of the sport, mixed with some good cooking, hospitality and hopefully a great day out on the field. I always assumed the airsoft insurance was somehow piggybacked off of paintball, because all the fields were paintball fields as well. Airsoft only would be what I was going for, but ye, realistically, I would be hella broke.

[PuttPutt]

On top of that no one has yet to mention Americas hemeroid called taxes!!!   For you to get land sizable enough to hold airsoft games at, in a non bum-f*#k egypt location, you would be paying property tax alone each year out the A$$! 

[Kielbasa]

im shot down much.