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DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND PAINTBALL
FIELD
1234 Anywhere Street
State College, PA 16803
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1
PRODUCT OR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT 1-2
MANAGEMENT TEAM 3
MARKET & COMPETITION 3-4
MARKETING & SALES 4-5
OPERATIONS 5-7
ANALYSIS OF FINANCIALS 7
RESOURCES 8
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
At The Devil's Playground, our mission is to provide enthusiasts with the adrenaline
pumping, heart palpitating phenomenon known as paintball for all ages in Central
Pennsylvania. This business intends on providing a safe and fun atmosphere for paintball
enthusiasts of all ages to come together and play. Central Pennsylvania is in need of a
quality paintball field to provide facilities for play in all types of weather year-round. The
purpose of this business plan is to find investors willing to provide start-up capital for
Devil’s Playground Paintball Field.
PRODUCT OR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
Paintball is a sport in which two (or more) teams use paintball markers to fire small balls
filled with paint at each other while trying to accomplish certain objectives. There are
two main styles of play: speedball and woodball. Traditionally, speedball is played on a
regulation size flat field with inflatable objects (known as bunkers) to hide behind.
Woodball, as its name states, is played in a forest or outdoor field. Woodball is very
popular among most players that are new to the sport, and is usually very profitable when
scenario play is provided. Devil’s Playground Paintball plans on offering both types of
play (speedball and woodball).
To build this paintball field, around 50 acres of land will be required in the greater State
College area. This is essential to have a successful field in the area so that it can compete
with the only other field in town (Penn Skates Paintball Park), and so that we can have
access to the large student population of The Pennsylvania State University. The constant
inflow and outflow of students will provide our business with new customers each year
and will ensure that our facilities need not be constantly altered to maintain customers
interest for many years. This will cut future costs and allow our business to focus our
efforts on advertising and customer service.
We intend on offering both speedball and woodball at our facilities. To do this, we will
require both indoor and outdoor facilities.
Speedball is a very seasonable sport. The game is not very enjoyable if played in the cold,
and business will be lost to other indoor fields if the proper facilities are not provided. An
indoor facility will need to be built to accommodate at least three indoor fields to
continue tournament and recreational play year-round. Two out-door fields will also be
required for the warmer part of the year. This way demand can be satisfied for league
play, private play, and clinics to teach new players about the sport.
Woodball will require all outdoor facilities due to the nature of scenario play. Demand
will increase in the warmer months for the wooded areas, but some players will enjoy
snow-covered terrain for winter action. To make the field unique and attract players from
around the nation, fields will be designed with underlying themes to be chosen when the
site is found. We will also be putting up some structures to allow players to enjoy mock
“urban warfare.” Woodball fields will not be costly to install, seeing as the natural terrain
will be left mostly as it is found to provide the proper turf for paintball.
Our business also plans on providing a state-of-the-art proshop with trained technicians
that can service paintball markers and provide advice on what type of gear suits different
styles of play. Field rentals will be available. Besides being a main source of income,
they will also provide opportunities for sponsorship revenue. League and tournament play
will be instated to gather a solid customer base, and we will also form a concession
service to sell food and refreshments to our customers. Concession sales will provide an
excellent supplement to the paintball field, seeing as food and beverage sales usually
provide a large profit margin.
Development Timetable-
Early Summer 2010- Lease or purchase land in the State College area to be used for
the business.
Mid-Late Summer 2010- Once the land has been secured, efforts will begin to form all
outdoor fields and a parking lot. This can probably be
completed within one month. Construction will also begin to
build the indoor speedball fields, permanent proshop, and
concession facilities. While this is occurring, temporary
restrooms and a temporary proshop will be set up. The first
advertising campaign will be launched, and relationships will be
established with suppliers/sponsors.
Early Fall 2010- Grand opening of Devil’s Playground Paintball,
outdoor/temporary facilities only. This will ensure that the fall
paintball market is tapped into, and that some revenue can be
made to offset construction and startup costs. This will also
help to build our customer base.
Spring 2011- Grandopening of all Devil’s Playground Paintball indoor
facilities, pending on-time completion of the building and field
set-up.
Liabilities- Risks are minimal with starting up a paintball field, seeing as it is deemed a
very safe sport so long as the proper safety gear is used. The field would mitigate any
liability by requiring a liability waiver be signed to participate in any activities at Devil’s
Playground Paintball. There will also be safety briefings for each group before they begin
play. Only paintballs purchased at the field will be allowed for play to ensure that no
tampering has occurred, and to control what color paint is being used in the indoor
facility. Choreographing of paintball markers before play will be required to enter the
field, and random tests will be performed on the field to ensure safety standards are
upheld from the beginning to end of the game. Even with these offsetting factors, liability
insurance will be necessary to ensure all fronts are covered to protect the business.
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Company Organization- Devil’s Playground Paintball will be organized as a Limited
Liability Company to protect both owners from personal liability past what they have
invested. Mr. Stoltzfus and Mr. Petkac will own at least a combined 51% of the LLC,
while investors may hold up to 49% of the company. Details about the management-
owner relationship can be found in the Devil’s Playground Paintball LLC Operating
Agreement Article IV. All members of this LLC will be guaranteed voting rights, and
will therefore have a say in management of the company.
Management Team- The management team will consist of Adam Stoltzfus and Robert
Petkac. At least one of these two managers will be on duty during all business hours.
Staffing will be determined by relative demand as observed during our first fall season in
2010. Managers will report to investors/members of the LLC, who will determine
management salary.
About Robert Petkac- Robert Petkac has been a paintball enthusiast since 2003. He has
played at many top-rated fields in Pennsylvania, and was a member of the Penn State
Paintball Team from 2006-2007. Robert is finance major at the Pennsylvania State
University with a minor in business law.
About Adam Stoltzfus- Adam Stoltzfus has been an outdoor enthusiast for all of his life.
Spending a lot of time in northern PA, he became accustomed to outdoor activities. Adam
has dealt with firearms all of his life and expanding to paintball was another notch in his
belt. During his time at Penn State, Adam has been majoring in business management
with a minor in international business.
Management Compensation- No distributions of cash will be issued to investors/members
until the business becomes profitable. Management will work for minimum wage until
the business becomes profitable. This will ensure that the business can grow at a proper
rate and become stable. Once the business has turned a profit, management compensation
will rise to the proper level determined by management and investors.
MARKET AND COMPETITION
The market for paintball is rather large. There are millions of people in the United States
that play the sport, and more internationally. Paintball tournaments are broadcast on
ESPN for professional and collegiate leagues. Many outdoor scenario games are held
yearly that also gather the attention of thousands of customers at once. Skirmish USA
Paintball in Jim Thorpe PA holds the world’s largest paintball game every year, where
3,000-4,000 players gather all at once for a large reenactment of the Invasion of
Normandy.
Local competition is mostly limited to Penn Skates Paintball. Penn Skates Paintball has
pretty much been a flop. After researching, and visiting their facilities, I have determined
that Penn Skates is not effectively tapping into the market, or putting much effort behind
its marketing campaigns.
Penn Skates holds one small speedball court. They do have rental equipment, and their
prices seem fair. The main problem is their lack of space. With one field, walk-on play
becomes impossible because players spend most of their time waiting for matches to
finish. Tournament and league play are nearly impossible because only one match can
happen at a time, so even a small tournament with ten teams can take an entire day. With
the single field being so small, and outside, it can only be used when the weather
cooperates. I have also discussed the effectiveness of the field with a friend still on the
Penn State Paintball Team, and he said they rarely play at Penn Skates because the
facilities are less than ideal. They would rather drive for hours to a quality field, such as
The All-American Paintball Park in Greensburg, PA. If proper facilities can be provided,
local paintballers, including the Penn State Paintball Team would clearly make it their
primary location for practices and tournaments.
Penn Skates also does not tap into the woodball market at all. Seeing as woodball is the
fastest growing paintball market, Devil’s Playground Paintball would have a large
advantage over Penn Skates. After Penn Skates, the next closest outdoor
speedball/woodball field, AEL Paintball, is in Milton, PA, and the closest indoor field
would be a toss-up between Outlaw Paintball in Manheim, PA, and the All-American
Paintball Park in Greensburg, PA. These competitors, however, would be eliminated due
to the sheer distance from State College. With fuel costs, and paintball being a more
expensive sport to play, a quality local field is always preferred.
MARKETING AND SALES
Our goal is to take advantage of the unique paintball market in State College PA. The
Pennsylvania State University currently has a paintball team, and they do compete in
collegiate tournaments. Having been a member, I know that they do need to drive over
two hours one way just for practices due to the lack of facilities in the area. Penn Skates
Paintball does not have fields suitable for collegiate tournaments, and they do not have an
indoor arena to continue play when cold weather strikes.
Devil’s Playground Paintball will work with Penn State, and their paintball program, to
provide sponsorship to the paintball team, and attract collegiate paintball teams from all
over the nation to play in tournaments. This will be a large source of revenue, and it will
get the field’s name out there to the general public.
The Pennsylvania region also holds true to one of the best areas for paintball in the
country. With amazing outdoor fields, many customers, who are not interested in
speedball, will travel very long distances to play in quality scenario games. Many
scenario teams are not sponsored; they just play for fun as a group. Plans are currently to
form fields on the 50 acres that would be suitable for a large scenario game if combined.
Scenario games not only provide large sums of revenue, but, if they are a success, they
build strong relationships between the players and the host field. This means players will
repeatedly come back, and they will inform friends or other players about their great
experience.
Linking in with the National Collegiate Paintball Association, and hosting large scenario
games will attract more customers than most paintball fields get on an average basis. In
addition, Devil’s Playground Paintball will run advertising campaigns ranging from
bachelor parties, birthday parties, corporate teambuilding activities, and miscellaneous
play.
Another promising idea would be to work with the local high schools to form an
intramural paintball program. Being a graduate of State College Area High School, I
know many students enjoy playing paintball, but that it currently is not an option due to
the lack of available facilities. State College Area High School holds intramural activities
ranging from bowling leagues to lacrosse already. Paintball would most likely be a much-
appreciated option for students to have fun and express their competitive nature.
Marketing will be a combination of word-of-mouth, and traditional advertising. An initial
media campaign would run on radio and in paintball magazines/local newspapers. The
main source of advertising, however, would be via the Internet. Many paintball players
are members of forums such as PBNation.com and PBReview.com. Devil’s Playground
Paintball would be registered on as many sites as possible, and a webpage would be
formed to advertise our new business. After the traditional media blitz, word-of-mouth
and the Internet will pick up the slack to bring in new customers.
OPERATIONS
Start-up costs for operations will be as follows:
Supplies Required:
Field Equipment (Paintballnetting.com): Quantity Price/Unit Total Price
Alpha Field Kit w/ Comp Air 1 $14,900.00 $14,900.00
Includes
Includes
Tippmann 98 Custom Markers 20
Paintball Loaders 20
No Fog Invert Helix Masks 20
47ci 3000pis Compressed Air Tanks 20
Parts Kits-Squeegees-BBD’s-Oil 20
Cases of Paintballs 30
O-Rings 200
Alpha Compressor 5000psi-5.5hp 1
Co2 Professional Fill Stations 2
Co2 Scales 2
Table Top Chronographs 2
Handheld Chronographs 4
Ref Supplies (mask/jersey/towel) 4
Large Field Sign Package 1
Alpha Professional Netting 20’x300’ 2
5 Man Sup Air Inflatable Bunker Set 2
Alpha Field Kit w/ Co2 1 $10,500.00 $10,500.00
Includes
Tippmann 98 Custom Markers 20
Paintball Loaders 20
No Fog Invert Helix Masks 20
12 oz Co2 Tanks 20
Parts Kits-Squeegees-BBD’s-Oil 20
Cases of Paintballs 30
O-Rings 200
Co2 Professional Fill Stations 2
Co2 Scales 2
Table Top Chronographs 2
Handheld Chronographs 4
Ref Supplies (mask/jersey/towel) 4
Large Field Sign Package 1
Alpha Professional Netting 20’x300’ 2
5 Man Sup Air Inflatable Bunker Set 2
2008 Sup’ Air 7 Man Field Bunker Set 2 $3,000.00 $6,000.00
Sup Air X Bunker 2 $260.00 $520.00
Sup’ Air Zipper Bunkers (Actionvillage) 3 $656.00 $1,968.00
Alpha Professional Netting 20’x300’ Rolls 4 $700.00 $2,800.00
Alpha Sport Close-Out Turf 48,000 $1.25/sq. ft. $60,000.00
Alpha Pole System (with netting) 4 $4,020.00 $16,080.00
Carabiners/Double S Hooks (40 per box) 8 $40.00 $320.00
Subtotal: $113,088.00
Extra Rental Equipment (Actionvillage): Quantity Price/Unit Total Price
Smarparts Ion Paintball Markers 40 $215.00 $8,600.00
20 oz Aluminum CO2 Canisters 50 $13.95 $697.50
Pure Energy 48ci 3000psi N2 Tanks 20 $35.00 $700.00
Viewloader 200 rd. Paintball Loaders 50 $3.49 $174.50
Halo Belt Driven Paintball Loaders 40 $79.95 $3,198.00
V-Force Armor Single-Lens Goggles 60 $21.99 $1,319.40
V-Force Pro-Vantage Thermal Goggles 30 $29.95 $898.50
BT Bandolier 4+1 Harness 40 $19.95 $798.00
144 Count, 140 rd. Paintball “Speed Pods” 2 $119.99 $239.98
Subtotal: $16,625.88
Misc. Field Gear (Paintballnetting.com) Quantity Price/Unit Total Price
Paintball Radar Hand Held Chronograph 2 $72.99 $145.98
Custom Chronograph Field Radar 1 $189.99 $189.99
Cases of Diablo Heat Paint (2,000 per case) 120 $31.00 $3,720.00
Picnic Tables (Competitive Edge Products)20 $222.78 $4,455.60
Subtotal: $8,511.57
Buildings, Land, & Miscellaneous Estimated Price
50 Acres within a 15-minute drive from State College $750,000.00
Prefab Steel Building 530’x165’x21’ with 87,450 sq. ft. $300,000.00
Miscellaneous Introductory Costs (Legal Services, Insurance, etc.) $50,000.00
Subtotal: $1,100,000.00
Total Startup Costs: $1,238,225.50
Staffing Requirements- The business will require different employees at different times,
but at all times there will be at least one manager on duty, one-two employees on
registration and paint sales, two employees working at the air fill stations, two referees
per field in use, one employee working the pro-shop, and two employees managing the
concession stands. Staffing will vary based on day of the week and expected business.
ANALYSIS OF FINANCIALS
Robert Petkac will keep the company’s books, and a local accounting firm will be used
for any special items, tax purposes, and audits.
Financial Forecasts- Devil’s Playground Paintball is projected to become profitable
within the first two-three years of operations based on development timeliness, weather,
and relationships with partners discussed above.
Capital Requirements- Total startup costs are estimated to be around $1,238,225.50. This
will include all land, equipment, and the building. When this is paid off, costs to continue
operations will be minimal. With bunkers, turf, and netting all holding an economic
lifespan of between 10-15 years, the only real costs will involve wages, utilities, and
insurance premiums.
Growth Opportunities- Should Devil’s Playground Paintball become extremely
profitable, it may be possible to expand locally, or form franchises in other rural college
towns. Many universities have college paintball teams, as well as students who just enjoy
playing the game of paintball.
RESOURCES
1) "0 Julian Pike." State College.com Real Estate. Ed. Lazerpro Digital Media Group.
RE/MAX CENTRE REALTY, 2010. Web. 12 Apr. 2010.
<http://www.statecollege.com/realestate/0-julian-pike_julian_pa_16844|29677/>.
2) Business Plans Handbook. Ed. William H. Harmer and Terrance W. Peck. Vol. 6.
Detroit: Gale, 1999. p223-233.
3) "Paintball at ActionVillage.com : Paintball Guns, Gear, Paintballs, Barrels, Goggles
and Equipment." Paintball, Skateboard, BMX, Airsoft, Apparel and Snowboard Gear at
ActionVillage.com. Action Village, Inc., 2010. Web. 12 Apr. 2010.
<http://www.actionvillage.com/AVI-Paintball/Paintball>.
4) "PaintballNetting.com." Paintball Netting, Paintball Equipment, Paintball Supplies.
Alpha Sports Inc., 2009. Web. 12 Apr. 2010.
<http://www.paintballnetting.com/onlinestore/main.cfm>.
5) "Steel Building Pricing." Steel Buildings - Lowest Price Guaranteed. Ed. Denver Web
Design. Price A Building, 2009. Web. 12 Apr. 2010. <http://priceabuilding.com/t-
pricelist.aspx>.
