Booking Policy Details – do not hesitate to phone and ask questions as we realize all these booking rules seem complex, and perhaps they are – but they work for you and for us. We need reasonable commitment in order to function and we try to build in lots of flexibility and logical bail-out options to make life easy for you. Because of uncertain weather and lack of business pressure, from November 20 to March 10, any event that takes place during this time does not need to follow our booking rules - just call and we will work something out.
Here is a quick summary of deposit policy: All deposits cost you nothing so long as you accurately tell us what you want us to do for you. You can be very inaccurate and still only lose $15.00! $50 is usually required up front and a larger deposit is usually required at 14 days before an event. Private events have the highest deposit commitment right down to Walk-On events where you can simply show up. Lead time on when we require reservation deposits varies right down to 4 hrs or, in some cases, just before you arrive. We have numerous bail-out features and final commitments are kept as close to the event date as possible.
So, if you want to play laser or paintball, simply call 382-2728 and we will help you out, or feel free to read on. Booking Details, Event Descriptions, and Price Lists follow;
1.
When you make a Paintball or Laser booking for a Private Event or a Multi-Group Event, we charge a $50 initial deposit. We will hold a spot for 48 hours (unless lead time is minimal) so you can check whether the time will work but then the $50 initial deposit must be paid regardless of how far in the future the booking date falls. This immediate $ hit is new and hopefully will tend to keep our calendars clear a bit closer to the actual date and brush away whimsical bookings that never actually happen.
2.
Once an initial deposit is made, you are locked in to pay a $15 charge if you cancel, but so long as you let us know more than 28 days ahead, you can change event type or player number or date and lose nothing.
3.
At about 23 days prior to the event you need to let us know how your plans stand. You can cancel with no strings attached or down grade event type or change date and only lose $15 so long as at least 21 days remain until the planned event date.
4.
For Private Events the final cost per player drops as numbers climb but for Multi-Group Events the final cost per player is set at the 16 player level but varies with the length of time to be played.
5.
If you proceed as planned, or upgrade, the entire $50 initial deposit goes into a “14 day deposit” which is $25 to $15/player depending on the type of event that is being booked. Being on time with the “14 day deposit” is VITAL.
6.
If a cancel or time delay occurs before the 7 day deadline, half the “14 day deposit” is lost and half goes into a credit for a future booking.
7.
If a cancel or a time delay occurs after the 7 day deadline, the entire deposit is lost unless we can salvage the spot and we determine what refund will be issued if we are able to salvage the spot.
8.
If the organizer is concerned about being able to collect the individual player deposits we can point out several ways to simplify the deposit collection challenge.
9.
The time deadlines are exact – plan to get payments in the mail ahead of time or be ready to use card payment – the deadlines we use are as short as we can practically make them. If you miss the vital “14 day” deadline, we throw the time slot open and you lose your $50 initial deposit. If the deposit pressure troubles you, consider joining a Multi-Group event at the last minute or a Walk-On session. Making a 24 hr Spot Booking or a 48 hr Non-Conforming booking are other good options. All these event types are described lower on this page.
10.
For Multi-Group bookings, player deposits must be exact but with Private Group bookings the formula for allowable error is (total number booked for minus minimum players allowed divided by 2 with a maximum allowed error of 4 players) Thus if 20 players have deposits paid for and the time slot minimum is 16, there are four extra players divided by 2 and the group can drop to 18 players who actually show up and no deposit money is lost. If 17 players show up, $25 will be lost, but the group will pay the lower 18 player price. This means that the players who come are not penalized by those who do not show. For some groups the loss of even two deposits still puts the total cost for the group below what other fields charge for non-private events.
11.
The price chart used for the type of group is indicated in each of the group descriptions as are the minimum group sizes for the different time slots.
How to simplify the deposit collection challenge:
1.
If you can get your minimum number of deposits for a Private or Multi-Group booking, you are free to boost the number up to 24 hours ahead of the event time assuming we have room. Once you pay the deposit, though, we gear for that number and you can’t back out any further than the allowed error margin.
2.
We will take credit card payments by phone for groups of 4 players so if it is difficult to personally see friends who say they will attend, perhaps they can pay their own deposit by card and phone. But we do expect this to be done before we are down to 14 days – so don’t let your tardy friends get you into trouble and lose your time slot and $50 initial deposit.
What do you do if things go wrong?
1.
In 2011 we have rain guards for our laser guns and paintball has always been a "Go", even in rain – Merrill Dunes is very sandy so mud is a non-issue. We are relatively easy going on weather disruptions and most groups WANT to go. But if it is simply terrible weather-wise we make sure that there is no deposit cost to clients. But we do not react well to attempted cancellations where clients fear rain from two days in advance!
2.
You can pull the plug on an event or delay with at least 14 days to go for a cost of $15.00. If you bail or delay with more than 7 days to go you lose half your 14 day deposit and half is held as a credit against a future booking. If you bail or delay with less than 7 days to go you lose your entire 14 day deposit. We will try to salvage the time slot in either of these cancellation situation but we determine the cost recovery. If you find yourself in a bad situation it is worth your while to explain your plight to us clearly and with credible documentation. We have heard some very weak stories, usually with no evidence to support them. If you have a good case, we are not without ears or reason. We are willing to share certain types of hits.
3.
If there is at least 7 days to go until the event, you could switch to a Multi-Group event, lose $50 of your initial deposit, and we would try to work out a salvage deal. This might be better than losing half of your 14 day deposit.
4.
Think about the impact if you come and play but are simply short players. The cost of the lost deposits when spread over the remaining players may still produce a cost that is less than you would pay at other fields without the advantage of a private booking.
5.
Consider whether you really need a private booking before you dive in. Other event types do not require the same level of pre-commitment. Don’t leave the job of getting participants to the last minute – you may find collecting players more difficult than you thought. Beware planning events near the end of June or near long weekends when suddenly everyone is away on a holiday. Make sure team members or friends, or whoever, realize that they need to do their part, or sign off early on. Consider booking a minimum number initially and boosting the number 24 hours ahead of the event. That action, though a bit of a pain to us, is within our rules.
Here is a list of your Basic Package Options – if you don’t know where to start, call 382-2728 and we can help you navigate to the best choice.
Private Paintball Events – 2 hour, 2.5 hour, or 3 hour at Field #1 or Field #2 – price per player drops as the size of the group increases. Your group has the whole facility to itself. Alcohol? (Be sure to check our link on this issue) Only players who you invite are there. Cost and minimum numbers are reasonable but it will be important that you know you can rely on those who say they are going to attend as a significant deposit must be posted. Private events are wonderful so long as you have a group that is easy to organize, such as a sport team. The organizer will have to collect individual deposits or have some assurance that players will attend. Prior to 2011, this was the only type of event we offered. There is a price reduction when using your own equipment ($33.75/player is where pricing starts)
3 hour Minimum Player # - March-April-May = 16 on Sundays and Stat. Holidays, 14 on weekday evenings, 12 on weekdays before 5:00pm.
3 hour Minimum Player # - June - Oct = 14 on Sundays and Stat. Hol. afternoons, 12 on Sundays and Stat. Hol. mornings, 12 on weekday evenings, 10 on weekdays before 5:00pm.
Minimum Player # for 2.5 hour events is 1 player more than for 3 hour events. Minimum Player # for 2 hour events is 2 players more than for 3 hour events.
14 Day Deposit = $25/player for 2 hr, 2.5 hr, or 3 hr events
Price List = Paintball Sliding Price List
Ammo = 75 paintballs per half hour of play time included in prices
Private Laser Events – 2 hour, 2.5 hour, or 3 hour at Field #2 - price per player drops as the size of the group increases. Your group has the whole facility to itself. Alcohol? (Be sure to check our link on this issue) Only players who you invite are there. Cost and minimum numbers are reasonable but it will be important that you know you can rely on those who say they are going to attend as a significant deposit must be posted. Private events are wonderful so long as you have a group that is easy to organize, such as a sport team. The organizer will have to collect individual deposits or have some assurance that players will attend. ($23.00/player is where pricing starts)
3 hour Minimum Player # - March-April-May = 16 on Sundays and Stat. Holidays, 14 on weekday evenings, 12 on weekdays before 5:00pm.
3 hour Minimum Player # - June - Oct = 14 on Sundays and Stat. Hol. afternoons, 12 on Sundays and Stat. Hol. mornings, 12 on weekday evenings, 10 on weekdays before 5:00pm.
Minimum Player # for 2.5 hour events is 1 player more than for 3 hour events. Minimum Player # for 2 hour events is 2 players more than for 3 hour events.
14 Day Deposit = $22/player for 3 hr event, $20/player for 2.5 hr event, $18/player for 2 hr event.
Price List = Laser Sliding Price List
Ammo = not applicable as there is no ammo cost
Multi-Group Paintball Events – No Gun Restrictions – 3 hour down to 1 hour at Field #1 or Field #2 – price is based on how long you play for. You can come with as few as four players (Additioner Group) and play in an existing time slot (Ground Breaker Group). No alcohol is allowed. You will play with whoever else wishes to attend, just like most fields. The advantage is that you do not need to get a large group together, you can play for a short or longer period of time, and the deposit requirements are much easier to handle than for a private booking. There is a price reduction when using your own equipment. ($19.25/player is where pricing starts) Pricing is based on the 16 player price on our Time Based Price List.
Ground Breaker Bookings – 2 hr, 2.5 hr, or 3 hr only / minimum of 10 players in March-May and minimum of 8 players in June – Oct. (Booking must be made a minimum of 7 days before the event date) $15/player 14 Day Deposit with no error margin. Policy on type of guns that can be used is set by the GrBr group. Thus the GrBr group can specify no gun restrictions or they can veto the use of fully automatic markers.
Additioner Bookings – 4 player minimum from March to October with time periods down to 1 hour (Bookings can be made up to 4 hrs prior to event time so long as space is still available) $15/player 14 Day Deposit with no error margin
Multi-Group Paintball Events – Rental Gun Only – 3 hour down to 1 hour at Field #1 or Field #2 – price is based on how long you play for. You can come with as few as four players (Additioner Group) and play in an existing time slot (Ground Breaker Group). No alcohol is allowed. You will play with whoever else wishes to attend, just like most fields. The advantage is that you do not need to get a large group together, you can play for a short or longer period of time, and the deposit requirements are much easier to handle than for a private booking. ($19.25/player is where pricing starts) Pricing is based on 16 player price on our Time Based Price List.
Ground Breaker Bookings – 2 hr, 2.5 hr, or 3 hr only / minimum of 10 players in March-May and minimum of 8 players in June – Oct. (Booking must be made a minimum of 7 days before the event date) $15/player 14 Day Deposit with no error margin. Policy on type of guns that can be used is set by the GrBr group unless the event takes place in a previously designated time slot. Thus, if the option is available, the GrBr group can specify only semi auto guns or they can specify that full auto guns can be rented.
Additioner Bookings – 4 player minimum from March to October with time periods down to 1 hour (Bookings can be made up to 4 hrs prior to event time so long as space is still available) $15/player 14 Day Deposit with no error margin
Multi-Group Laser Events – 3 hour down to 1 hour at Field #2 – price is based on how long you play for. You can come with as few as four players (Additioner Group) and play in an existing time slot (Ground Breaker Group). No alcohol is allowed. You will play with whoever else wishes to attend. The advantage is that you do not need to get a large group together, you can play for a short or longer period of time, and the deposit requirements are much easier to handle than for a private booking. ($15.75/player is where pricing starts) Pricing is based on 16 player price on our Time Based Price List.
Ground Breaker Bookings – 2 hr, 2.5 hr, or 3 hr only / minimum of 10 players in March-May and minimum of 8 players in June – Oct. (Booking must be made a minimum of 7 days before the event date) $15/player 14 Day Deposit with no error margin.
Additioner Bookings – 4 player minimum from March to October with time periods down to 1 hour (Bookings can be made up to 4 hrs prior to event time so long as space is still available) $15/player 14 Day Deposit with no error margin
Private / Multi Group Hybid – If a group doesn’t have enough players to reserve a private time slot but wants to come close to this goal, they can pay a private 14 day deposit and request that we (1) minimize the number of other players that are added to the group OR (2) cap players at 20 so as to minimize cost/player. Anyone who paid the Private Deposit rate is assured of paying a 16 player price at worst and a 20 player price at best.
Ground Breaker Bookings – 2 hr, 2.5 hr, or 3 hr only / minimum of 10 players in March-May and minimum of 8 players in June – Oct. (Booking must be made a minimum of 7 days before the event date) $25/player 14 Day Deposit with no error margin.
Additioner Bookings – 4 player minimum from March to October with time periods down to 1 hour (Bookings can be made up to 4 hrs prior to event time) $15/player 14 Day Deposit with no error margin. (If an Additioner group wants to get a better player price, they can also pay a $25/player deposit however they would have to go along with the time period booked by the GrBr group.)
Walk-On Paintball Events – ½ hour to 6 hour at Field #1 or Field #2 – price is based on how long you play for. You can come with as few as three players but we will not accept individuals or pairs. No alcohol is allowed. You will play with whoever else wishes to attend, just like you would at most other fields. The advantage is that you do not need to get a large group together, you can play for a short or longer period of time, and you do not need to pre-book – although you can if you wish. Cost is less if you have your own equipment. ($11.50/player is where pricing starts) (Pricing is based on our 16 player Time Based Price List) (Pre-Reservation can be done right up to the last minute for $20/player, in blocks of 3, and an arrival time must be specified) (Maximum number is limited)
Walk-On Paintball Event – Custom 98 – ½ hour to 6 hour at Field #1 or Field #2 – price is based on how long you play for. You can come with as few as three players. No alcohol is allowed. You will play with whoever else wishes to attend, just like you would at most other fields. The advantage is that you do not need to get a large group together, you can play for a short or longer period of time, and you do not need to pre-book – although you can if you wish. Only our rental Custom 98 guns are allowed so the playing field is level – no private guns are allowed. ($11.50/player is where pricing starts) ) (Pricing is based on our 16 player Time Based Price List) (Pre-Reservation can be done right up to the last minute for $20/player, in blocks of 3, and an arrival time must be specified) (The time slot for this event will be specified well ahead of the event date) (Maximum number is limited)
Walk-On Laser Events – ½ hour to 6 hour at Field #2 – price is based on how long you play for. You can come with as few as three players. No alcohol is allowed. You will play with whoever else wishes to attend. The advantage is that you do not need to get a large group together, you can play for a short or longer period of time, and you do not need to pre-book – although you can if you wish. ($9.00/player is where pricing starts) (Pricing is based on our 16 player Time Based Price List) (Pre-Reservation can be done right up to the last minute for $15/player, in blocks of 3, and an arrival time must be specified) (Maximum number is limited)
Sunday Evening Classic Laser Events - ½ hour to 3 hour at Field #1 - $8.00 to $24.00. This is a great time spot and great value for the hockey wind-up for the 8 yr old hockey team. You can reserve spots so you know there is room for your gang. This event will not be available until the beginning of May. ($8.00/player is where pricing starts and it caps at $24.00 at 3 hrs) (Pricing is based on our Classic Laser Price List) (Pre-Reservation can be done right up to the last minute for $15/player, in blocks of 3, and an arrival time must be specified) (Maximum number is limited)
Paintball Spot Bookings made less than 24 hours prior to the event time - 1 hour to 3 hour at Field #1 or Field #2 - $19.25 to $43.25 with 150 to 500 paintballs included. These are private events. Alcohol? (Be sure to check our link on this issue) The minimum numbers and cost are both easy to live with. Only those you invite are there. ($19.25/player is where pricing starts) (Pricing is based on our 16 player Time Based Price List) (Pre-Reservation can be done right up to the last minute for $20/player or less if the individual player price is below this figure) (Minimum numbers are; 1 hr event = 14 players, 1.5 hr event = 12 players, 2 hrs and up = 10 players) (Events can take place at any time, even Sunday and evening times, so long as we are able to secure staffing at short notice) (Player deposits must be exact but we will try to handle larger turnouts although service times may be slowed)
Laser Spot Bookings made less than 24 hours prior to the event time - 1 hour to 3 hour at Field #2 - $15.75 to $32.50. These are private events. Alcohol? (Be sure to check our link on this issue) The minimum numbers and cost are both easy to live with. Only those you invite are there. ($15.75/player is where pricing starts) (Pricing is based on our 16 player Time Based Price List) (Pre-Reservation can be done right up to the last minute for $20/player or less if the individual player price is below this figure) (Minimum numbers are; 1 hr event = 14 players, 1.5 hr event = 12 players, 2 hrs and up = 10 players) (Events can take place at any time, even Sunday and evening times, so long as we are able to secure staffing at short notice) (Player deposits must be exact but we will try to handle larger turnouts although service times may be slowed)
Off-Site Paintball Equipment Rentals – stag party groups and even the Cdn Army have rented equipment sets to use off site – tell us what you want and we will figure out a package with custom pricing.
Off-Site Laser Events – we have a portable laser game system that can be set up just about anywhere. Tell us what you need and we will figure out a package with custom pricing.
50 Calibre Events – we have several of Richmond Italia’s GIMilsim guns which we are evaluating and sometime during 2011 we hope to offer events using only 50 calibre guns and ammo. Great for younger players, these “pea shooters” may provide an economic and less painful experience. We are excited but we need to test the guns for reliability before we go wild. Check out the www.GIMilsim.com website! This may be Paintball of the Future! From what we have seen so far, the 50 calibre system is quite remarkable!
Non Conforming Event – Basically the same for paintball or Laser apart from pricing. Once we are within 48 hours of an open time slot and able to evaluate our manpower status, groups can request a private time slot with any number of players and we will try to cobble a deal that will make the event work. Pricing is based on our Sliding Price List that charges more per player for small groups, but for a small stag party, $61.00/player for a group of 6 players may make sense. Alcohol? (Be sure to check our link on this issue) Opt for bulk ammo and 500 paintballs are included in the $61.00. If no other package seems to fit, this one might! Reservation deposits must be exact with no refunds and deposits are 70% of the projected player price.
Event Buyouts – Say you want a time slot that is already booked. View the time slot like a stock in a stock exchange. The client that has the time slot may well be willing to sell it for $5.00 per player or $10.00 per player – who knows the magic figure! Perhaps your company or team wants a specific time slot that is already reserved. We will certainly see if the holder of the slot is willing to sell out and use the profits to pay for another slot! Maybe the price will be too high or maybe a deal can be easily reached. Just a thought. The option is available.