Paintball is pretty much the only legal way good friends can run around shooting each other.

Starting in early July, McLeod County will offer a new venue for the sport. Area 22 Paintball will be just south of Lace Avenue on State Highway 22, southeast of Biscay.

The 12.5-acre field will be partially wooded. Eventually, it will feature structures and obstacles such as small houses and barricades. Owner Tony Wagner said he will offer gear and paintball guns for rent. Paintball fans can also bring their own equipment.

Wagner said he’ll base the design of his field on SC Village, a 100-acre paintball park in California. SC Village has themed playing courses.

Hobby becomes business

“About two years ago I decided to start a paintball field,” Wagner said. “I was working at 3M as a quality specialist.”

Wagner was ready to try something different. “I just kind of took one of my hobbies and did some market research.”

He’d already done about 15 years worth of field research as a diehard fan. Wagner started playing paintball during his college days at the University of Minnesota. As he later traveled around the country, he continued to indulge in a good splatfest.

“I’ve tried to take the best of everything I’ve played and put it into my deal,” he said.

Running the field will be a full-time job for Wagner, who’s also helped his wife, Mary Jo, run a custom drapery and window treatment business.

Wagner, a certified field operator and tournament referee, hopes to start leagues and competitions later this year.

“I’ve just got to get them out there so they can see how much fun it is to play,” he said.

Admission will cost $15 for people with their own equipment. A rental package including a safety mask, paintball gun, 100 rounds of paint and all-day free air refills will cost $25.

Local paintball history

It’s possible Wagner will get a lot of rental business from Hutchinson residents.

Mike Campa, owner of the U.S. Paintball Club north of Brownton, said Hutchinson has banned the purchase, possession or transportation of paintball guns, within city limits, since the mid ’80s.

Campa tried to have the ordinance changed to only limit paintball gun ownership of people ages 20 and younger, but has since given up the fight.

“I’ve found that people tend to think they’re just a toy, but they can be dangerous,” he said.

Campa rents equipment, guns and 500 rounds for $30. There’s no additional fee to play at either his eight-acre or 40-acre field. But, people who own their own equipment are charged $25. He also can take the equipment on the road, he said, “if people want to have a birthday party at their own farm.

(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sosa@hutchinsonleader.com)