Editing Bay of Plenty Paintball Club (section)

== History ==

=== Establishment ===

Bay of Plenty Paintball Club was established in 2014 to develop organised paintball participation in the Bay of Plenty region.

The organisation was registered as an incorporated society on 30 July 2014, under registration number 2610936 and New Zealand Business Number 9429043285440. [1]

The club was formed to provide opportunities for recreational and competitive paintball players, including those without access to suitable tournament training facilities.

Before establishing a permanent home, members relied on borrowed land and temporary playing areas.

The organisation attracted players from Tauranga, Rotorua and surrounding communities, with members also travelling from the Waikato region.

=== Development of TECT Park facilities ===

In 2017, Bay of Plenty Paintball Club began developing a dedicated playing facility at [[TECT All Terrain Park]], near Ngawaro, between Tauranga and Rotorua.

The project involved converting an undeveloped area of bush and uneven ground into facilities suitable for organised paintball.

According to the club's historical records, members spent approximately two and a half years fundraising and undertaking construction work before the site opened. [2]

Development included earthworks, clearing and levelling the playing area, establishing grass playing surfaces, and installing safety netting and supporting infrastructure.

A permanent playing area allowed the club to conduct regular training and recreational activities without relying on temporary or borrowed facilities.

=== TECT funding ===

The development of the club's facilities received financial assistance from TECT, a Bay of Plenty community funding organisation.

TECT's 2017–2018 Annual Report records an approved grant of '''NZ$52,808''' to Bay of Plenty Paintball Club for site development at TECT Park. [3]

In a September 2020 report on TECT Park, TECT identified the club as one of the park's established user groups.

The report confirmed that its funding had supported the clearing and levelling of the playing area and the installation of infrastructure, including:

* Safety netting and support poles
* A water tank
* A generator
* Trailer-mounted toilets
* Supporting facilities for the playing fields

At the time, club treasurer River Jermyn described access to the land at TECT Park as important to the organisation's development and its ability to host visiting teams. [4]

The club's official website also acknowledges One Foundation as a major contributor to the development of its facilities. [5]

=== Opening in June 2019 ===

On 22 May 2019, Bay of Plenty Paintball Club announced that its new TECT Park playing facilities were ready to open to members.

The club scheduled its first official club day for '''9 June 2019''', beginning at 10:00 am. [2]

The opening followed approximately two and a half years of fundraising and construction.

The new site provided facilities for existing competitive players and people seeking an introduction to paintball.

The club subsequently established regular monthly club days and training sessions.