HomeMy WebLinkAbout02285 email - Designation For a Safe Area to Host Airsoft EventsALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Dear Board of County Commissioners:
We hope this email finds you well. Our names are Torin and Jordan and we are reaching out to discuss an opportunity to promote tourism and recreational activities in Port Townsend by
designating a safe, controlled area at Jefferson County Fairgrounds for airsoft events.
Airsoft is a growing sport that appeals to a wide range of people, from hobbyists to competitive players, and it has the potential to attract visitors from across Puget Sound.
Creating a designated space for airsoft would provide the following benefits:
1. Safety:
A controlled environment guarantees strict adherence to safety protocols, such as protective gear, clear boundaries, and supervision, which reduces risks for participants and bystanders
2. Increased Local Tourism:
Hosting airsoft events will bring players, spectators, and their families into town. These visitors will contribute to the local economy by dining, shopping, and staying in nearby accommodations.
3. Community Engagement:
Airsoft events create opportunities for youth and families to engage in a healthy, team-building activity while fostering a sense of community.
The fairgrounds’ location in town makes it a great spot for many activities on the peninsula. It can attract many people interested in the hobby/sport and will be very beneficial, as
many of us on the peninsula have to drive an hour or two to compete. For reference, airsoft games vary in size and game modes, from 1v1 duels to large multi-day events with hundreds
of participants. The game that would be held here would most likely be 5v5 to 10v10 with a set round-based system, which could include fun minigames or alternative game modes. Overall,
an estimated total of 8-16 people might show up at every event. However, apart from the data below, we estimate a total of 30 people who are interested in, or are actively a part of
the hobby. While Airsoft tournaments often include all ages, people under 18 are required to have a waiver signed and wear more protection than adults. As far as the field layout, you
can use anything ranging from wooden pallets, to inflatable barriers commonly seen in paintball, to water barrels. Airsoft requires referees to enforce the rules, monitor safety, and
help medical personnel if they are needed in rare cases. The referees could be local volunteers interested in observing, or paid employees of the field that are funded by the admission
fee. We believe that the fairgrounds would be a great fit for this activity because there are a lot of options for spaces where the games could be held indoors or outdoors. The nice
thing about having a large space is that the cover on the field such as barriers and walls can easily be moved so you would not need to permanently allocate a space for airsoft and
you can change up the gameplay by changing the layout of the field. We acknowledge there is a campground nearby, and we want to take necessary precautions to keep that place safe from
crossfire. Another benefit of Airsoft compared to a similar sport like paintball, is that we can require biodegradable BBs that won't harm the environment.
We held a survey in a couple of periods at school and collected some information on who was interested. A total of 39 participants answered at the time of writing this. Over half of
the survey participants said they were interested in attending events. About three-quarters of the people who answered agreed that the fairgrounds would be an ideal spot for games to
be held. Over half of the people said they’d like to play more than once a month, and a calculated median price of admission was around $12.
Airsoft events usually include local vendors for food and dealers for materials relating to airsoft. A good example of this would be larger events like Milsim West <http://milsimwest.com/>
or other specialized events with themes that <https://ballahackairsoft.com/collections/events)> have vendors selling, cooking, or trading and bartering goods. These events bring people
together and promote a sense of community. You have said that you are “committed to providing a safe and friendly place to host the County Fair and events and activities that promote
local agriculture and arts, education, youth development and community building for the entire county.” We believe that these airsoft events will offer opportunities to support youth
development and community building.
We’d be happy to collaborate to make the first Jefferson County Airsoft Arena a success. We would love the chance to discuss this idea further. Please let us know if the board is interested.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to enhance Port Townsend’s recreational offerings.
Best regards,
Torin Brostrom, Jordan Bowman
PTHS Students
25j.bowman@ptschools.org <mailto:25j.bowman@ptschools.org> ,
26t.brostrom@ptschools.org <mailto:26t.brostrom@ptschools.org>
(360)-301-3055 (Jordan)
(360)-302-0729 (Torin)