A large indoor airsoft facility will open in Rochester, in upstate New York,  today. While it will not be the "Grand Opening", Airsoft Tactical will be opening its doors to airsoft players so they can do more testing of the facility and for the site owners to get feedback and improve the site further to enhance the game experience.

I have seen initial photos of the facility in January, but permission to operate from the local government was given late last month so it took sometime for airsoft players in the area to wait for the site to open. There were soft launches, or games by invitation to test the site for safety purposes too. Even the Fire Department had to check the site to make sure that it complies with regulations before the final signature was given for the site to finally conduct business.

But what is commendable about the preparation for the site's "initial opening" is the way they coordinated with the local authorities and the local media. Especially that they invited the police to check the site out and actually do some training which they did last Tuesday. This way, the police are aware of the existence of the facility and that people with replica firearms will be in the area. With the local media such as Rochester Homepage also visiting the site and reporting about it, the word also gets spread out to the local community and surrounding areas. This way, residents and other business won't be surprised about people in tactical clothing and carrying gun bags;  they won't just give the police false alarms this way.

This is especially important if the site is an indoor facility as it will most likely be situated in a more populous area, especially those in cities.  For anyone who plans to put up an indoor or outdoor airsoft facility, wherever they are in the world, it is best to put into the plan that the local police and media get invited to check the site and even play with some local players to get the feel about the game and understand it better. This way, the site owners don't get to explain every time that a resident will call the police about people carrying guns and playing soldiers.

Airsoft Tactical will be opening by 1500H EDT today, 04 April 2014. The site is located at 21 Lincoln Ave., and airsoft guns should be in gun cases when going to the facility. Game fee will be US$20 for 4 hours and whole day gaming will be US$30.  The prices do not include rentals yet. There are membership privileges that will be made available to interested individuals and they can contact the site owners for details.

As for site safety, the maximum FPS will be 350fps with 0.20gs and up to 0.25g will be allowed.  As for ROF, it will be at 30bps maximum and minimum engagement distance will be 10 feet. For PolarStar airsoft users, please do consult Airsoft Tactical as they have strict rules in the use of PolarStar Airsoft-powered guns.

Goodluck to the owners, and to the players in Rochester. May the site be success and the players show that they are responsible members of the community.