THE OLD Evening Post building on Willis Street has been transformed into an urban battlefield for paintball enthusiasts.
Paintball Corp is the first indoor paintball course in the centre of a New Zealand city, and it’s owners think it may even be the first in the world.
After securing a $60,000 loan on his in-laws house, Richard Renfrew (left) and business partner Ratu Mataira (right) eventually found the right property in which to establish Paintball Corp.
Mr Renfrew began his paintball career at a very young age, after going on school paintball trips in year nine.
Mr Renfrew said it was difficult establishing a paintball field in such a busy location.
“People said it couldn’t be done.”
Mr Renfrew said one of the major advantages of running an indoor course is the consistent temperature and protection from the elements. Weather can impact outdoor courses customer numbers, as well as the breaking point of the paintballs.
Mr Renfrew has developed a system to check a paintball’s breaking point.
“There’s a specific way to throw a paintball at a wall,” he said, “We go for a paintball that will break every time.”
Mr Renfrew said the flooring offers a point of difference to players.
“We’re the only field in new Zealand with AstroTurf.”
He said AstroTurf was a great surface to play on due to the ability to slide on it without it becoming slippery.
With its smaller size, and convenient location Paintball Corp can entertain more players.
“We can put more people through paintball and have a better experience.” Mr Renfrew said.
Mr Mataira, chief financial officer for the business said they feel they are doing well after only the first few weeks.
Paintball purists have told them it couldn’t be done in a CBD because they didn’t believe they could compromise on space.
“We figured the majority of our customers aren’t purists,” Mr Mataira said.
