By Kelly Wise Legg
There’s a new place for some fun competition just south of Causeway Blvd. on U.S. Hwy. 41. Just over the railroad tracks, battles are welcome and paintballs are the flying ammunition.
South Tampa Paintball (STP) was collaboratively inspired and quite the long labor of love of its two owners, Casey Henry and Amy Abdnour.
In sixth grade, Henry attended a church paintball outing where she was introduced to the sport of paintball and quickly invited to be part of a team.
“From that moment she spent her free time pulling weeds, cleaning houses, raising pigs and doing all types of odd jobs to raise money to play on her paintball team,” said Abdnour. “Paintball gave her something to do, a place to belong and an incentive to earn money.”
Henry, who went on to graduate college and now works in a professional capacity, wanted to do something to create a similar experience for area youth.
Abdnour is a mental health therapist who specializes in adolescent, couple and family dynamics in Apollo Beach. She is passionate about therapeutic value of recreation and aware of the need for more places in the area where teens, young adults and families can spend time together, play and have fun in a team environment. Together, they decided to create South Tampa Paintball.
“Our primary mission at STP is to create a place where people want to be and where personal growth is cultivated through team building,” said Abdnour.
In 2012, there were 3.5 million paintball players spending more than $160 million on the sport, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association.
The cost to play at STP ranges from $30 – $50 per person. Membership options and monthly subscriptions are available. Online reservations are discounted and there is a frequent paint-buyer reward coupon. Group rates are available. Volunteer options are available in exchange for discounts and field entry options.
STP will also be offering other incentives such as pay for a day and play the next day for free. Parents can create an online account and pay in advance for their children. In addition, a drop off-loop at the front of the field allows parents to sign their children in and pay for the day all without leaving their vehicle.
In addition, STP specializes in hosting birthday parties, corporate team-building, church outings, youth groups and competitive tournaments.
The fields are open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. to the general public. Parties, group and corporate outings can be scheduled upon request.
The grand opening will take place on Saturday, August 23 at 10 a.m. STP is located at 3378 S. 50th St. in Tampa.
For more information, visit www.SouthTampaPaintball.com or find it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/southtampapaintball.
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