Escape the Blistering Texas Summer Sun at GatSplat Indoor Paintball Fields

Finding fun and recreation during the blistering Texas summer can be tough, and even swimming and boating trips will expose you to a lot of radiation from the sun. A great alternative is playing paintball games in an air-conditioned indoor field.

Possibly the biggest and best facility in the greater Dallas-Ft.Worth area is the GatSplat Indoor Paintball Fields. GatSplat has two indoor fields within the 26,000 square-foot building. Thickly insulated walls and first-class air-conditioning keep it nice and cool even on the hottest days.

When you enter the facility, you will find a large staging area with a counter to check out equipment, and picnic tables set up to sort out your gear. There's enough elbow-room in the staging area even on busy days to suit up and get ready for the games.

Another convenience in the well-designed facility is a lounge for the parents or guardians of the gamers. The room is sound-insulated from the playing fields, although there are big viewing windows that let you keep an eye on the action outside. The lounge has comfortable chairs and couches, and a wide screen HD TV with digital satellite service, usually tuned to the day's major sporting events. You also might want to bring your laptop to surf the web or catch up on your emails with the free WIFI service provided.

The front playing field is 150 feet long by 80 feet wide. The field is layed out to look like the set of the video game X-Ball, with huge props shaped like the game's Coke cans, Doritos, blocks and giant X obstacles. Players dodge around the props, using them as bunkers for cover. The floor of the field is is a soft, synthetic turf with springy cushioning underneath that makes a terrific playing surface. Walls are hung with mesh curtains as a crash barrier. Game referees provided by the facility ensure that the fair-play and safety rules are followed.

The back field is smaller but with more elaborate features, like fog machines, lazer disco-lights, and spinning color spotlighting. There are props that have a western theme, like the covered wagon bunker. Kids really get a kick out of playing in this exciting area.

One of the commendable aspects of the facility is the camera security-system that monitors the activity throughout the building. The cameras add to the safety of all the players and patrons. Another thoughtfull element is the orientation video for new players that goes over the rules and safety guidelines.

Within the building is a shop that is fully stocked with paintball equipment and accessories. There are more paintball-related articles there than I ever seen elsewhere. The paint guns used on the fields are powered by compressed air, and they can be re-filled at serveral stations around the building. There are even CO2 filling stations for players that use that type of gun.

Overall, GatSplat shows a lot of ingenuity in the planning, design and operation. I would give it high marks for both fun and safety as a recreational environment. It's a great place to schedule parties and tournaments as well. Located in Lewisville, north of DFW, it is accessable to most of the urban areas. For real paintball fans, it should be an item on your to-do list. I would highly recommend it for first-timers and the casual player as well.

GatSplat Paintball
582 E Hwy 121,
Lewisville, TX 75057
(972) 956-5500
http://www.gatsplat.com/