I moved this over from another thread where I posted it. I'll be updating and adding to it when I get the chance.
Well I just thought I would set out to make a thread for anyone out there thinking about making their own field, or wanting to know what works well for making bunkers and things like that.
First of all I'll start out with woodsball in mind, and how to setup a good woodsball field.
INSURANCE! - When starting out before you even get it in your head that you want to make your own field, you've got to decide whether or not you're going to set it up for public use or just for private use. The difference being, if you're going to open it up for public use then you're going to need insurance. This is not one of those "Well I'll get it eventually." things. YOU NEED INSURANCE. If you're going private than it is not as big of a deal but is still recommended.
These guys offer the lowest premium I have found(if you qualify).
http://www.paintball-apl.com/
Here's another you can check out:
http://www.paintballinsurance.com/
If you don't have anyone employed by your field/store that has more than 3 years experience and a certification, your insurance premiums are going to be pretty high. The policy you get might be kind of limiting as well. This can be a big factor in deciding whether opening a field is right for you. Insurance is expensive but neccesary.
For the insurance application you're pretty much gonna have to have all your stuff together, including a map of the field and pictures of your fill station, chronograph area, signs(posted "Goggles On" "Caution: Paintball Field" etc.), and safety zone(has to be netted off or out of range(300 feet).
They're also going to want to know how many people you'll have every year and how much your going to take in monthly and yearly from:
Entry Fees/Field Fees
Paintball/air sales
Concessions sales
Store sales
You'll also need to look into getting a business license or tax ID number if you wan't anyone to take you seriously. You'll also want to see if your field is zoned for paintball. If you're in a residential area you might have to talk to your neighbors as well and kind of get their blessing.
WAIVERS AND RELEASE FORMS - You've got to have them. Usually the insurance company provides them after you get everything processed but it's also nice just to have them if you're running a private field. Even if you only play with friends. Friends have sued friends before, that's what we learn from judge judy and jerry springer.
Here is a sample waiver/release form:
Release form front
Release form back
COSTS - Initial costs can be pretty high. As far as prices go:
Gas/Fill station (approx. 160 Fills): $300 to start $150/Month
Paintballs(20 cases): Around $700/Month
Insurance: $310/Month or $3700/Year
Netting(8'x300'): $1200/Enough to cover an acre of land or so
Your looking at maybe an initial starting cost of around $5900 Dollars if you pay your insurance premium in full. That doesn't include rental kits. As far as rental kits go there have been a lot of different threads on it, but I do think that tippmanns work the best. You can find field setup kits around on the net(like 10 full kits for 1500 or so) but whatever you go with you're going to need a full set of equipment for each kit(Mask, Marker, Tank, Squeegee, Barrel Sleeve).
If you don't start out with rental kits there are still a few things you NEED to have at your field, either for purchase or rent like:
Barrel sleeves
Paint
Air(Co2 or Compressed air)
Water
That brings me to my next topic:
FOOD - As far as food goes...well you don't NEED it, but it's always nice to have at least some chips available or something. One thing you will need though is water. At least a hose for people to drink out of. People need water though and you can't get stuck with someone getting heat stroke and then think "Oh crud, I wish we had some water around."
Along the same lines as food is trashcans. You're going to make sure you have pleanty of trashcans and places for people to put all their waste.
BATHROOMS - You don't need them, but unless you want people releiving themselves on the field or on your car you gotta think about it.
FIELD PAINT ONLY
As far as field paint goes, it's a good idea to keep it "Field Paint Only" just so you know what's being shot on the field. Another reason is PROFIT. This can be one of your biggest money makers. Field paint can be anything though, I would just offer something quality for the high end players and then some bargain stuff for the people who dont really care.