Paintball could be next sport to hit Winter Springs

A local business proposed adding a new form of amusement to Winter Springs: paintball. 

On Oct. 5, the Winter Springs Planning and Zoning Board approved Sports Heaven Orlando’s proposal to add a paintball field to its recreational facility, which already has seven batting cages at the intersection of Belle Avenue and State Road 434.  

The proposal will go in front of the Winter Springs City Commission for final approval on Oct. 23. 

Orenthius Grimsley, Sports Heaven’s owner who used to operate a paintball facility in Haines City, said he would also like to add a rock climbing wall and a money vault. 

“My original plan is to have it as a package plan for birthday parties or add-ons to birthday parties as well,” he said. 

Concerns from the board

Planning and Zoning Board Member Rachel Hood said some paintballs contain additives, such as reflective pigment, that could have a negative environmental impact. 

Grimsley said that he plans to use paintballs that are made from food grade ingredients such as gelatin. 

According to Paintball USA, most paintballs are filled with paint made of polyethylene glycol and encased in a gelatin coating, making them biodegradable for the environment and safe if any paint accidentally gets in a person’s mouth. 

In an interview after the meeting, Grimsley said he lowered the pound-force per square inch (PSI) in the paintball guns to make the experience more enjoyable for customers of all ages and employees. 

“Regulation is 285 [PSI] and I lowered my paintball [guns] to 180-190 [PSI] so that it doesn’t hurt,” Grimsley said.

Board Member Kenneth Spalthoff said he worried that cars driving by or parked in the parking lot  could be hit by paintballs. 

“With the cars so close to [State Road] 434, and I just Googled the size of a paintball, will there be adequate netting to not allow a ball to go through?” Spalthoff asked.

Grimsley said the netting that will cover the sides and top of the paintball field is small enough so a paintball can’t be shot through. 

Chairperson Kok Wan Mah said there may not be enough parking with the property’s 12 leased spaces on days that they’re fully booked. 

Grimsley said the majority of his customers carpool when attending booked events but Mah argued that there could be certain instances, such as work retreats, where this assumption may be wrong. No action was taken regarding the spaces during the meeting. 

Rules to follow 

If the paintball field is approved, Grimsley said there will be rules to ensure customers have a fun and safe experience. 

• Children must be at least 8 years old to play.
  • Minors must have parental consent and supervision.
• .No outside equipment will be permitted
  • Gear, padding and paintballs will be provided
• Waivers must be signed to play

UPDATE: The paintball proposal has been added to the agenda for the Monday, Oct. 23 Winter Springs City Commission meeting and will potentially be voted on at that meeting. See the agenda and a link to watch (the meeting goes live at 6:30 p.m.) here.

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