Town Panel Backs Complex for Paintball, Lasertag, Bounce Houses

A proposed complex for paintball, lasertag, airsoft guns and bounce houses was unanimously backed Tuesday by the Town of Brookfield Plan Commission.

Eric Ruscheinsky, owner of Brew City Paintball and LasertagToGo.com, wants to open the complex in a 43,300-square-foot warehouse space at 21875 Doral Dr., two lots down from the site he originally eyed in the town.

His plan will go to the Town Board for approval next month, and, if it's approved, he hopes to open by September.

"I'm very excited," Ruscheinsky said after the commission meeting. "We want it to be the ultimate party (site)."

Created in 2006, Brew City Paintball sells paintball supplies and LasertagToGo.com arranges and sets up laser tag parties in southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

The proposed business in the town would be called Brew City Paintball and Entertainment Complex, and its operation would be mainly in evenings and weekends, he said.

About 4,000 square feet of the warehouse would be used to house his online supplies and shipping business. Another 3,000 square feet would be for retail display and about 31,000 square feet would be gym space for the paint ball, lasertag, airsoft play and bounce houses, according to a plan of operation filed with the town.

During busy times, Ruscheinsky said he had permission from a neighboring business to use parking stalls there. The Town Plan Commission made its recommendation for approval contingent on a letter filed by that business endorsing the shared parking for the term of Ruscheinsky's seven-year lease and proof of adequate insurance.

Ruscheinsky said he planned to show that his paintball business will have "superior equipment, instructors and facility" than multiple indoor paintball competitors.

He said his bounce houses will be the type that can hold adults as well as children (adults up to 200 pounds), and he will have concessions, gaming and redemption center, party room and pro shop similar to other children's inflatable businesses such as Monkey Joe's nearby in Waukesha.

Ruscheinsky also wants permission to use the grass outside the warehouse to operate at least two changeable large inflatables for paintball, lasertag, airsoft guns and bounce houses. 

He told plan commissioners he was interested in hosting professional paintball tournaments that could draw tourists to the town.