Island Paintball Arena

I went here once, back in April of 2008, with a crew of my paintball buddies of varying experience. Some of us were new to the game, while others had been playing for a few years. This field was one of the few places that allowed you to bring your own paint, and after a trip to our local sports authority, we were set to go.
There are landmarks a plenty– it’s behind some form of recycling plant. If you find yourself next to a graveyard, you’re in the right place. Parking is plentiful.
The staging area was the first sign we might’ve come to the wrong place. I don’t know if it’s gotten any better since, but we had paint oozing up around our shoes as we walked. The tables weren’t much better. The staging area was suitably large, however. Food was delivered regularly, and it was cheap as well. They also had a fully stocked pro-​shop on hand.
Safety was another thing I noticed was off. I never once had to go through a chrono, nor did we get a safety briefing of any kind. When I went to go chrono my marker to ensure it wasn’t shooting hot, I had to wait a solid twenty minutes for someone to come along, complain about my presence, and chrono the gun.
The field was oddly shaped, set up like an L. The refs shoved everyone into one game, putting what I guessed was their field team on the long end of the L and everyone else around the bend on the other side. The bunkers barely had air in them, and walking or crawling along this field felt like trudging through a swamp. The L shape also makes for terrible gameplay. The field team set up on one end had an almost shooting gallery angle on my group of walk ons as we scrambled out of the L and into whatever cover there was. On the occasion we hit one of our opponents, they mostly stayed in. Our refs, kids by the look of them, disappeared once the game was on. One or two even jumped in the game with the other side.
The above repeated itself the rest of the night, with my team always getting similarly obliterated, and the refs always being similarly absent. We called it a night. Note that this is all from the perspective of a walk on player. Playing in a party would’ve made the experience slightly better.
Bottom line, up front: my buddies and I played there once, and never came back. I don’t care how much money I saved bringing my own paint– the terrible experience I had there just wasn’t worth the savings. If you’re looking for a good place to play as a walk on or someone new to the sport, look elsewhere. If you decide to play here, be sure to book a party and don’t depend on the refs.

I loved it here! It was my first time paint shooting– I went wit a big party and we all played together on teams!
Pros– gave great customer service
The workers in the paintball area were very helpful
Full body suit! Rent for 7bucks!
Large waiting area!
Loved it can’t wait to go again

My biggest problem with this place was that the refs were these little kids — looked to be no older than 15 – 16 years old, and they didn’t enforce ANYTHING. Another problem is the arena, which is complete trash. It’s too small, the obstacles are garbage, and they packed in about 40 people during all 4 rounds I was there (in an arena which should fit no more than 10 – 12 people). It was way too crowded, and the refs, due to their inexperience and youth, didn’t care one bit about it.
On top of that, as one of my teammates was leaving the arena, one of the refs shouted to a guy on the other team to shoot at my teammate WHO WAS RAISING HIS HAND SIGNALING THAT HE HAD BEEN HIT AND IS LEAVING! Again, this is what happens when a bunch of kids are left to manage the rounds. They fool around and eventually, someone will get hurt.
This place is total trash and I am angry that I spent a single dollar here. This was the first and last time I ever play here.

Play: John Legend — When It’s Cold Outside… I digress because the lyrics don’t match but some how those words came to mind.
We played in snow before and that’s not an issue but playing in cold is not comfortable so we chose an indoor place close by as can be. That would be Island Paintball Arena. We got the Groupon and they took it with no hassle. We called ahead and they said yes, smooth sailing so far.
Driving in is a short distance from the Southern State Parkway and when you see the cemetery, the field is right across. The parking lot (free parking) has a good amount of parking. We paid for admission, air and paintballs. Signed waiver. Setup time. FPS Check.
Field: Slippery, wimpy Doritos and Snake balloons. Games go fast because it is such a small field and there is a plastic window for viewing into the field as an audience.
Suggestion: Bring cleats that are not spiked. No Spiked cleats but regular-​allowed. The field is super slippery.
Shop: Loads of markers, over 50 in different varieties of Magfed, MilSim, Electric. The newest hoppers, mask, clothing, protective wear, accessories and a knowledgeable, helpful staff. A+ in this department.
Staff/​Referees: The bad ones, the good ones and ugly side of unprofessional ones. The refs do their job most/​some of the time but not all that well. Paintball is by no means a clean or professionally organized sport and with kids and slacker refs goes the mannerism, on some occasions. It’s a dirty, but fun, recreational sport most the time, but arguments occasionally take place. In this visit we had really great and friendly staff. We also had a couple of terrible referees making bad calls and on especially our last game where they pulled our entire team off the field because a young man shot his marker before the game began inside his barrel cover. The ref is suppose to pull that one person off the field and you educate him on safety, not stop the entire game and kick everyone off the field. When we complained, an entire argument erupted and one ref called a team member names. Unprofessional.
Food: Order Pizza from local pizzeria to be delivered, bring your own or the vending machine has snacks (bars, chips, Gatorade, ice tea, soda, water, etc…)

I’ve been playing at island since 2005. Back then when the dodgeball arena was still a part of the paintball field. Recently they renovated it, so the paintball field is very short, bunkers are ALWAYS deflated. The dodgeball arena is barely open. Waste of a investment.

This place is NASTY. Its an indoor arena and after years of paintball «debris», you are basically sloshing around in a sticky mess.
The referees just don’t give a shit. They stay well outside the game area and never, ever call hits.
There is a window on one side of the arena and if you’re on the other end… your basically blinded by the light.
We were new to the game. so live and learn. Outside fields are going to be the way to go since the paintballs are bio-​degradable. The ones at IP are also… but there is no where for them to degrade to. Skip this place!

Best place to play indoor paintball hands down

I’ve been to this place many times to practice, and never had a problem with them.
Ease of Access: This is place is definitely pretty easy to get to. The road it is on can be passed fairly easy, though. It’s not hard to make a U-​turn if it happens, though. It is only a couple miles off the Long Island Expressway.
Atmosphere: From the first time I came here, I never met anyone I didn’t like. The staff is very friendly, and so are the players. Everyone is willing to help with whatever, if needed.
Prices: The prices are average for a paintball field. You will average $ 45-​$ 65 for a case of paint, depending on the quality you want. Rental’s are average as well. $ 20-​$ 30 will get you the proper set up needed to play.
Fields: the only downside to this place is the field. There is only one field (it is an indoor place) and it’s pretty small. You can only fit a 3 on 3 comfortably. Anything bigger and you will be smothered by other players behind the same bunker. The only field they have is also primarily a speedball field. Sometimes they set up forts to have a small scenario game but it really isn’t that exciting.
Overall, I’d suggest this to anyone who wanted to give speedball a try. If you are looking for woodsball (AKA scenario type play, in the woods), try cousins paintball is Coram.