Paintball will get a shot in Winter Springs

Paintball will be added to a batting cage facility to be the newest sport in Winter Springs.

The Winter Springs City Commission on Oct. 23 approved a proposal to add the use of a paintball field, a rock climbing wall and money vault at Sports Heaven Orlando on S.R. 434.   

Several violations concerning the restaurant and retention pond on the property were discussed with Sports Heaven Owner Orenthius Grimsley, even though he does not own the property where the violations occurred. 

Despite these challenges, Grimsley said the additions will help to bring the community together. 

“It promotes a sense of fun and excitement… and promotes teamwork.” Grimsley said.

Concerns from the board

According to the staff report, the property owner has violated code by altering the retention pond and restaurant’s patio on site without a permit. 

Grimsley said the restaurant on property is permanently closed by the property owner, Richard Boyd. According to city staff, the development agreement states that if the restaurant were to reopen, the fines would need to be paid by Boyd. 

Mayor Kevin McCann said the property owner has had to pay a daily fine since April of this year for the retention pond violation.

“The city stepped in and did a cease and desist order and began $250 a day fines, until he restores that pond to the way it was,” McCann said. 

Attempts to reach Boyd by phone were unsuccessful before deadline. 

McCann asked City Attorney Anthony Garganese if the Commission can take those violations into consideration when voting. Garganese said the conditional use permit for the addition of paintball doesn’t address the code violations since the field doesn’t require major changes to the property. 

“In this limited circumstance, I don’t see this particular amusement use impacting the storm water any more than the existing amusement use is impacting the storm water situation,” Garganese said. 

McCann had concerns about the city having liability if an accident were to occur on the property or affect neighboring properties, people or cars. Grimsley said that nets covering the sides and top of the field will keep the balls contained within the field.

If an accident were to occur, Garganese said that the property owner is  responsible under the conditional use permit, not the city. 

Lack of parking was a concern for Commissioner Ted Johnson, as it was for the Planning and Zoning Board at the Oct. 5 meeting. To avoid too many people using the facility at once, Grimsley said reservations will be required to use it.

“When you book a party as a group, that’s an eight-player package. The most I can have on the paintball field is 10 people at a time,” Grimsley said. “Whoever booked the party, that will be the entire group that can go from the batting cages to the paintball field, also the rock climbing wall and money vault.” 

For days that aren’t booked with parties, Grimsley said guests will have to call and book a reservation. 

Local impact

During public comment, Gina Schafer, planning and zoning board member, told the commission how the addition will benefit the community and how Grimsley has made an impact on young people’s lives.

“The gentleman [Grimsley] has such a great rapport with youth and everything like that,” Schafer said. “ I think it would add to our community… we have nothing like this around here.”
Want to weigh in on this? Consider sending a Letter to the Editor and get your opinion published!