New Indoor Paintball Facility is Largest on East Coast

It is the largest indoor paintball arena both in New Jersey and the whole east coast—and it has come to the area.

Hardcore Paintball Arena opened its doors officially on Chimney Rock Road last weekend, with Staten Island residents Harvey Schneider and Angelo DiMaggio at the helm.

“We think this is a great town, and we are trying to draw kids and adults of all ages,” Schneider said. “We tell people to try it and see what it’s about.”

Schneider said he actually got into this business because of his son, Vincent, who liked playing paintball.

“We played at one indoor arena, but mostly outdoor ones,” he said. “I talked with my business partner, and we decided we needed to change that.”

And the business stayed in the family because Schneider’s daughter, Daphne, came up with the name, Hardcore Paintball.

“We love it, everyone loves it,” he said. “It’s all about paintball.”

Schneider and DiMaggio looked for six months to find a location, and finally found the 22,000-square-foot facility in Bridgewater.

“We talked to the township, and there are a lot of opportunities here,” Schneider said. “But there is nothing for kids to do here.”

And, Schneider said, because the facility is completely indoors, it can be open all the time.

“Most outdoor facilities are only open on the weekend, and if it rains it closes,” he said. “If it’s hot, no one comes. But weather doesn’t affect the indoor facility.”

Schneider said the facility has many different amenities to attract all ages for the game.

First of all, Schneider said, there are cameras all over the playing field so parents can watch their kids while they are playing and keep an eye on them. And for parents who are staying at the building while their kids play, there is a lounge so they can watch the cameras while relaxing away from the noise and the playing field itself.

Hardcore Paintball also offers two party rooms, a rental room with equipment to play, 96 free lockers to store items and much more. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, they will also be hiring a chef to make home-cooked food, including chicken fingers, baked ziti and more.

“This is the largest indoor facility on the east coast,” Schneider said. “And every week we change the layout of the field so it is something new every week.”

And safety is very important to them, Schneider added.

“We pride ourselves on safety,” he said. “We give a briefing if you have never played before.”

“On Friday and Saturday, we are hiring Bridgewater police as security,” he added. “We are open until midnight, and parents can drop their kids off, and then go out for the evening. The officer is a good deterrent for any problems.”

Schneider said they are also working with the Bridgewater Recreation Department on many opportunities, including a once-a-month Teen Night on Friday. The field, he said, can become a dance floor, and they will bring in a DJ to play music from about 7 to 11 p.m.

In addition to that, Schneider said, they are planning to offer a special camp through the recreation department, with eight week-long increments. The camp will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and kids ages 9 and older will be offered food, drink and game play for $500 per week.

“And for Bridgewater residents who book through the recreation department, there is a discount to $450,” he said.

The camp begins July 8.

Schneider said they are also holding clinics on Thursdays with professional paintball players, from 3 to 5 p.m., and 5 to 7 p.m.

And, Schneider said, they are planning to start a Wednesday night league, with six-week sessions and a championship during the seventh week. Prizes for winners will be paintball equipment.

Schneider said they are also planning to hold lock-ins for kids, where they close the doors at 10 p.m., and the kids spend the time, until about 9 a.m., playing paintball or sports (a net comes down in the arena for actual sports play), and music, movies and food.

For regular game-play, the facility is open at 3 p.m. during the week when school is in session, and 9 a.m. when it is not, closing at 10 p.m. on Tuesday and 11 p.m. Wedensday and Thursday. The facility is only open by reservation on Mondays.

On Friday and Saturday, the arena is open 9 a.m. to midnight, and, on Sunday, it is open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Schneider said they have about nine people working at the facility, and they are available to play with guests who come in by themselves and just want a chance to play.

To actually play paintball, guests need to be 9 years old or older. Those younger than 9 years of age can play by shooting at targets, instead of each other.

“They shoot at targets all over the field,” Schneider said. “We don’t want to leave anyone out.”

The business has only been open for about a week, but, by Monday, they had already had about 160 guests.

“We go out to talk to all of them, and they all love the place,” Schneider said. “There have been no negative comments.”

Schneider said they have had a reservation for a corporate party recently, as well as a bachelor and bachelorette party, plus several birthday parties.

“We cater to anyone, and any ideas they want,” he said.

Schneider said people love paintball because it’s just a fun activity.

“It’s intense and very competitive, and you are able to get rid of stress,” he said. “You can get out aggression in a controlled environment.”

For more information about prices and hours, visit the business Facebook page at facebook.com/hardcorepaintballarena, or call 732-868-3188.