The Montuy family had wanted to start a business for years, but
could never decide exactly what kind of business to open.
Hollister – The Montuy family had wanted to start a business for years, but could never decide exactly what kind of business to open.
Five years ago the perfect idea hit them with a spattering of paint, when son Michael took his father, Mike, to play paintball on Father’s Day. Last weekend that dream of a family business became a reality with the grand opening of the 130- acre USPN Paintball Park.
“We wanted a business that we would enjoy doing,” Michael said. “And we love paintball.”
Michael said the unadvertised grand opening was successful, but hopes for more players in the future.
“We had enough (players) to keep us on our toes,” Michael said.
Mike, Michael and other family members used their years of paintball experience to design fields they had always dreamed of playing on, Michael said.
USPN has 9 fields – 6 professional, which are smaller and can be used in competitions, and 3 recreational. They plan to add more fields and attractions in the future.
USPN is one of two paintball fields in San Benito County, evidence of the sport’s growing popularity. The other is TAG Paintball, located behind San Benito High School.
Both TAG and USPN have big future plans. TAG will be spending about $900,000 for land, new lights, a concession stand and a grassy area for Lil’ Kickers soccer activities, Manager Rowland Chick said.
For USPN, the sky is the limit, Michael Montuy said. USPN plans to add a variety of new features to it’s three themed recreational fields, including a fog machine and ground-level speakers to add realism, he said.
According to SGMA International, a sports marketing research company, paintball was the third most
popular extreme sport in America last year, ranking just below inline skating and skateboarding. In 2004, 9.6 million Americans participated in at least one game of paintball. That number has jumped more than 60 percent since 1998.
Paintball is one of America’s cheapest extreme sport and it’s becoming more popular every year. Both Chick and Michael Montuy said enough interest existed to keep both TAG and USPN busy.
It’s cheaper to rent and play paintball for five hours than it is to buy a lift ticket or a jump out of a plane. It’s also accessible, and open to anyone 10 years old and older.
Chick said paintball was so popular, at least among men and boys, because of the competition. Paintball is just like playing cops and robbers, but more exciting and dispute-free (the paint mark is proof of who has been shot and who hasn’t). Paintball is, in fact, a misnomer, Chick said. The balls actually contain a biodegradable dyed gelatin.
Chick has more than 10 years of paintball experience and has even competed competitively in the team sport. Paintball is really more than just shooting, some corporations even use paintball as a team-building exercise Chick said. “It’s really about development,” Chick said. “Especially communication and team work skills.”
Both Chick and Michael Montuy agree paintball always thrilling, fun and that the sport will continue to evolve and grow.
“The sport is never conquerable,” Chick said. “There is always another level.”
For many enthusiasts, the sport borders on addiction, said USPN supervisor Daniel Gomez.
“Once you play, you’re hooked,” Gomez said. “You’d better save up your nickels and dimes.”
While renting equipment and playing can be relatively cheap (usually $30 to $60 per day). But, like many habits, paintball can get very expensive. Paintball guns alone range from $50 to $2,000. For 16-year-old USPN referee Scott Cardoza it’s worth the extra money for better equipment. Cardoza, who many consider to be among the best players at USPN, owns a $1,500 paintball gun, or “marker,” that is completely electronic and riddled with esoteric dials and switches.
“Marker is the mom-friendly term,” Cardoza said.
In the end, paintball is just about fun.
“This is an exciting sport, it’s the ultimate adrenaline rush,” Michael said.
Brett Rowland covers education for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected].
