Velocity Closing

[Alex McLean]

Sadly, after almost two years of indoor paintball action, Velocity Indoor Paintball will be closing the doors as of 12:00pm on Wednesday September 20, 2006. Due to massive running costs, and sporadic customer numbers, we have got no choice but to pack up and move on.

For me, personally, the last four years (I have been working on this full-time since early 2003) have been one wild ride. Living and breathing paintball and “living the dream” has been an experience I will never forget.

I have met hundreds of brand-new paintballers over the last two years, helped many new players into the sport, and got to know many people within the scene much better. I hope that the scene in Brisbane, and maybe Australia, is better off following the existence of Velocity, and I am sad to admit that we can contribute no more.

I would like to thank so many people for being part of the Velocity adventure. Firstly, my gorgeous wife, Lisa, who has put up with so much for so long, and believed in me, even when she had doubts about the business. Secondly, thanks to my Mum, Feona, who was behind the project from the start. Thanks also to Luke, who hasn’t seen much of his family for the last couple of years.

A giant thanks needs to go to the ever-enduring Junkyard Dogs. From the old dogs, to the new breed, Velocity would never have happened without your support. Thanks to Fuzzy, Gumby, Brenton, Smokey, BB, Muddy, Potty, Jai, Boogie, Garfield, Roger, Big Bird, Stapo, Dan, Buffy, Busta, Owen, Jannick, Lazare, Jeff, Kenny, Choppa, RG, Snowy, and Nugget.

Thanks to the current Velocity crew: Latte, Nick, Mark, and Rob. And past: John, Mal, and Hilary. We all busted our asses to keep the show running, and I am sincerely grateful for your efforts. Thanks must also go to those “unofficial” members of the crew – all those people who helped out behind the scenes to make it all happen: Jen, Craig, Alex, Col, Jennifer, Lindsay, Kirrily, my Dad, Ariel, Chris and Jess, and Krappy.

To the teams and players of the BNPL and the Dogfight Series: thanks and good luck! I hope everyone who discovered the world’s greatest sport at Velocity continues to play. Thanks to: Adam, Eric, Shane, Redman, Andy, Steve, Kahn, Craig, Daniel, Selwyn, Wayne, Matt, Andrew, Stewey, Jai, and all the members of the mighty ‘Borg Boys/Ridgebacks, Spring Loaded, Mayhem, Crazy 88, TBA, Pain Train, Bad Karma, Funky Squad, No Chance, Black Magick, Paint Savvy, Statue Bro, Strategic Sports, Bad Efkt, O-Rings, Whirlpool, and X-Rated.

Thanks to the irrepressible X-Fighters. Thanks to Jamie (the Dubbo connection). Thanks to the guys at APM for putting together a magazine for Australia. Thanks to Jan, Alan, and Toni at Samford. Thanks to Blobby. Thank you to Ollie and Dooley. Thanks to all the guys from around the country who supported the Ollie Pro School. Thanks to the guys and girls at Weapons Licensing.

To Dianne, James, and Bourke at MacDev. Thank you for your generous support and for making such an outstanding product in the Cyborg. Our rentals performed well above-and-beyond our expectations, and our team guns are unbelievable. You should all be proud of your efforts, and your support has been second-to-none.

To Gav and Tim at Paintball Australia. You backed our project from day one, and for that I thank you both. I appreciate that you did many things for us that were not noticed by anyone else. Thank you.

Thanks to the guys at Hammerhead, those ever-straight-shooting Texans.

Thanks to Ian and the crew at Action, and to Paintball Pete (and Deb!) and Pete Spence.

To all of our customers, from new players to regulars: THANK YOU.

I’m sure there are people I have missed, and for that, I am sorry. To everyone in Australia and overseas who contributed to Velocity over the years: THANK YOU. Your support is forever appreciated.

[Hardcore]

I'm very sorry to hear that Alex, I know you put your heart and soul into this business, thanks for all you have done for paintball in general and especially in QLD.
Also thanks for getting me into this sport.


Player A IV life.

[Troy]

WTF!!!!

NOOO!
Are you gonna have 1 big final game day on sunday or something????

[Souse]

I feel very saddened to hear that Velocity is closing down. You guys have helped lift the level of paintball and helped lift the exposure of the sport to a new generation of players and will surely be missed by all and sundry.

I think you guys can hold your heads up high because Velocity has been a success in the time it was open.......I know anyone that had been there always commented on how great a place it was.....

good luck to you and Lisa, you guys are a credit to the sport and never do anything half hearted

[HenryG]

That sucks

[Tripod]

All I can say is I am absolutely stunned.

When Latte called to tell me this earlier I felt it was once again one of his bad taste jokes but now i see it is not.

Alex, Lisa, Latte and Brenton I would like to say a big huge THANK YOU for introducing me to such an awesome sport and for teaching me so very much.

I will talk to you all further very soon,

Regards,
Adam.

[house]

After being part of a similar venture in the west and it going the same way, I can relate to how this feels, and I am sincerely sorry to hear this. I know that Kurt has always spoken highly of your willingness to help him out since day 1, and although I haven't had any personal experience with anyone up there, I have only ever heard you all talked about in the highest regard and referred to with the utmost respect.

The crew of Invasion are sad to hear of this occurring and wish you only the best for your future endeavours....

[Camo]

Not cool,

Thats a really sad to hear Alex, good luck in the future mate and thank you! :respekt: :respekt: :respekt:

[James]

im really sorry to hear this...... i know al and lisa put everything into this :(

[JSC_Liason_neo]

its a sad day when feilds close, only Happy when they open, or give away free paint

[spice]

Very sad day in paintball indeed... :no:

I'd like to personally thank Alex, Lisa, Latte, Brenton and the rest of the JYD / Velocity crew for all their support for me personally, and also their never ending and valued support of the Carnivores..

Damn this dust in my eye. :cry:

[TRENT]

Very sad as although I have never made it there I have always heard good things and was looking foward to checking it out on my next Brissy trip. Goodluck in whatever the future hold for the Velocity crew.

[Spence]

Sorry to hear....

An awesome setup worked hard for the love of the game many memories to take away with you i am sure, best of luck on any new adventure Alex, Lisa and crew well done the sport will miss your facility

Cheers....Spence

[Sardukarn]

Sorry to see this happen.

It was good for the sport as a whole. Shame there wasnt more notice so we could have had a big farewell.

Good luck with your future ventures..

[Deadeye]

Sorry to hear it guys, always looked forward to playing there one day.

[N3B]

Well I'm gutted. This venue has been my release from being a stay at home dad, a social outlet and a opportunity to learn from wonderful people.

I really don't know what to say, all the best to you Alex and Lisa.
Who's holding the wake?? I'll bring a carton.

[PAINTBALL PETE]

That sucks

More than sucks.

Alex and lisa have been around since the Ark me feels that we will be seeing more of them sooner than later.

A sad day m8 :cry:

The Russell's

[Preacher]

I am so sorry to hear this as i consider Alex & Lisa two of my closers friends :kiss: in Paintball
Best of Luck :respekt:

[Vladimir]

Sorry to read this. :respekt: to Alex and co.
Good luck with whatever you guys do next.

[RG_]

Someone please tell me this is not true.

What am I going to do with my life now?

[Tripod]

Its ok RG you can become an internet geek, stay at home and have no life.....like Im going to do.

Alternatively I guess I could always talk to my wife...........

[Big Gav]

Lisa, Alex you still have me:kiss: I am sorry to hear this news.

[silent bob]

A very sad day indeed for all.

Re-ball was awsome, JYD a damn fine team of good-hearted people and Alex and Lisa 2 of the nicest people ever to throw paint.

sad sad sad..



:(

[bancroft]

Its Like The Third Death Of Australia! ! ! !

[Jilli]

A sad day for aussie paintball

:respekt: To you guys for what you have acheived

Jilli

[epic]

Sorry to see, all the best Alex and Lisa. we will still be seeing you around paitball i hope!

[Red1]

thats bad news good luck wish you all the best . stu go for it indoor paintball

[Birdman]

Alex - thanks for the guidance that you have provided so far. We've probably annoyed the sh$t out of you in the last few months but we are greatly appreciative of your time. The velocity crew will be welcome down here whenever you visit.

From the Team at Melbourne Indoor Paintball

[BNO]

Wow, now that just came as a total shock.

Id like to thank Alex and lisa as well as the crew at velocity, nothing but outstanding everytime i played there. Sorta got me into the sport evenmore so. Thankyou.

Sorry to see it come to an end.

Cheers

Dan

[Knackers]

BUGGER... :cry: :cry:

[EMO]

first erwin , then brockie, now velocity, thats damn upsetting.:cry: I just want to thank Latte for introducing the sport of paintball to me , and thanks to Alex and Lisa for helping to create a great scene and a good atmosphere in Brisbane and for being nice and supportive to me over the past year that i have been playing . Cudos to you both.:clap:

[Trapper]

well this gutted me when i heard, alex and lisa have been great teachers and friends. good luck guys and the rest of hte velocity crew. guess its onto bushball for the time being

[Troy]

yeah the training alex ran was awesome... i came away with alot in that 2hrs:respekt: !!!
and i was just getting my licence so i can become more regular too:cry:

[Mark:-)]

Alex, you're one of the nicest guys i've ever met in my life. You go out of your way every day to help others and you can always be relied upon. There is no doubt that paintball in Brisbane and Australia has grown massively due to your passion for the sport. You are a role model for Australian Paintball and a good friend. You introduced me and many others to paintball, and I hope you continue to be the energized and enthusiastic person you've always been.

Lisa and the JYD boys, I hope I will see you guys around. Although you've all been a small part in my life, you've been a memorable one. The randomness of your conversations always made me laugh, and no doubt my vocabulary is much larger since hearing these conversations. It was a pleasure playing with you guys for the short time I did.

It's unfortunate that Velocity has to close. Hopefully it was just ahead of its time. A sad day for Australian Paintball.

[vonsplatt]

Very sorry to here this.

[walking target]

sorry to hear the news

regards
Peter

[johnny_1shoulde]

truly a sad day...sorry to hear this guys.

[Mike]

A very sad day for Aussie paintball..............this fully sucks!

My sincere condolences go out to Alex, Lisa and all the Velocity crew:cry:

[Rohypnol]

All the best to all at velocity, sad to see a great business close down

[Bareback]

I cried like a little bitch when I got the message. My boss thought someone had died. MY 2ND HOME IS GONE!!!!! :cry: :cry: :cry: But on to bigger and better things for Al & Lisa. Best of luck to you both. :respekt: I will be holding a private memorial on Saturday night me thinks.

[KENNY]

not good...
Al's dream was the birth place or more than a few Qld teams, his passion for the sport is contagious.
we owe Al and Lisa a huge debt of gratitude, our paintball skills would not be where they are today without the patience and passion of two supportive people...
thanks guys...
VELOCITY had a massive positive impact on paintball in Qld

[Tripod]

Hey BB that aint dust buddy admit it...go on...just like me you cried like a baby......

[Kahnage]

I had heaps of fun playing on your field it sure is a sad day!
i'm so glad i got to play on it, some ppl will not know what they missed out on !
just wish I could have 1 more run on it!!

[N3B]

just wish I could have 1 more run on it!!

Amen brother, AMEN!

[LIZARD]

I am sad to here this. You guys help me get were i am now, uses also help me love the sport of paintball even more then i did before, and i hope that the JYD team will stay to gether. when i started paintball i had never played on team sport so this was new for me, uses gave me so many memories and i had so much fun with all of the JYD team thank you all.

[Pyro]

I am sad to here this. You guys help me get were i am now, uses also help me love the sport of paintball even more then i did before, and i hope that the JYD team will stay to gether. when i started paintball i had never played on team sport so this was new for me, uses gave me so many memories and i had so much fun with all of the JYD team thank you all.

Obviously one thing they didn't teach you is english, but if you are going to use that word it's spelt "Youse".:lol:

[Kahnage]

Hi Pyro that is not very nice man! Fleur :no:

[KENNY]

Lizard doesn't need english skills to kill at tha 50...
go get-em tiger...



let the dream live on

[Blobby]

jesus....what the point in moving to brissie now??????....i mean really..is there anything there ???? no velocity.....the rest of brissie is just ...well nothing
(note..i know samford is there and i not baggin it ..just stating my feelings at this time.....gav...you have to get light now......)

[Big Gav]

Nice recovery Blobby. I'm pissed this means any chance I had of getting rid of the supair field is gone now. I was realy looking forward to the urban combat enviroment:cry: bloody supair players;)

No it is all pretty sad, some times bad thing happen to good people.

Now cowboy up and get over it, It's time for JYD to get a tan.

[Hooper]

Damn....I'm going to need to get sunscreen, and tinted lenses......

[Reaper]

Im so sorry Dude, Thanks for all Velocity has done for me,ill see you all soon.
Kiwi

[pegasus]

Very sad to hear the news. Good luck to all the velocity crew for the future.
I would also like to thank Lisa, Alex and the rest of JYD for there support of team Myth and hope to catch you all at future events.

Brett.

[cdog]

Thanx for all the effort...Big thanks to Alex and Lisa, Brenton, Nick, Jason, Lazar, Scotty and all Junyard crew for all the training/ BNPL/ walk-ons...This isn't the last we'll hear from u guy's i'm sure...

[Predator]

I'm so glad we got a chance to play at Velocity before the south pacs. what an awesome venue:thumbsup: all the best for the future to alex and lisa...

[Trapper]

exactly gav, expect 5 or 6 teams to show up to play supair first thing in the morning :P

[Bareback]

Gav, what's this day star you speak of? I thought a tan was what you got off your monitor while playing WoW or Battlefield whatever-year-it-is or Counter Strike... Oh, sorry, that's cancer.

[sheyadeley]

thanks Dman youre tornie rocked.

[paint_dude]

so sorry to hear that mate, bad luck
by the way sheyadeley i am curious wat did Dman do in this?
oohh well prob missed somfin
any way sorry again

[grizz]

thanks Dman youre tornie rocked.

I get the feeling this ended up in the wrong thread;)
Yes Dmans' tournie rocked and it sucks big time that Velocity is closing.

I'm glad I had the chance to check it out at Ollies Pro School this year and now even more chuffed that I got a JYD jersey and Velocity polo shirt while I was there- and NO they're not going on ebay as collectables!!!

Best of luck to Alex and Lisa on your future ventures :respekt: :thumbsup:

[Tripod]

I get the feeling this ended up in the wrong thread;)
Yes Dmans' tournie rocked and it sucks big time that Velocity is closing.

I'm glad I had the chance to check it out at Ollies Pro School this year and now even more chuffed that I got a JYD jersey and Velocity polo shirt while I was there- and NO they're not going on ebay as collectables!!!

Best of luck to Alex and Lisa on your future ventures :respekt: :thumbsup:

and those of us Velocity regulars enjoyed the chance to meet and shoot you too grizz.

Adam,
The lunch driver with a lil honda full o' ballers
(Im still cleaning shell outta the wifes car)

[Hooper]

I just want to personally thank Alex, Lisa, Jason, Nick, Rob and Mark for always makeing me feel welcome at velocity. You guys kick ass.

I also wanna thank everyone that I've ever shot (or attempted too shoot) at velocity. Its been a blast.
I'll see you guys at samford!

Also, please note that we're meeting at Diceys at Garden City from 4pm onward this sunday (24/09/2006) as a goodbye to Jason (he's going back to the UK) and a goodbye to velocity. Wear your Velocity shirt if you've got one! Anyone's welcome.

[Bareback]

I will be there in Spirit. Expect a phone call Hoop!!!

[Damo]

i did have a paintball feild within walking distance from home... (came in handy with a licence record like mine :hammer: )

well i think anyone who had the opportunity to play at the feild would agree that it was awesome while it lasted... thanks to Alex and Lisa for always thorwin on a great show... and of course the other guys, Jason Hooper and in some cases Bancroft (assclown :rofl: )

may whatever venture you decide to take on next be more successful than the last

RIP velocity :(

[Surius]

You blokes tried to do everything to try and stop me from taking Dogfighter of the year out, but this is a bit of overkill...LOL,

Seriously, I picked up my first marker at velocity, fired my first shot in the dogfight series and have never looked back.

For this i must thank Alex and Lisa for not only having the venue but also a entry level comp in where greenhorns can come in and with the help of all the velocity crew work their way up to trying their hand at pro level comps.

Allready miss not being able to come down and shoot reball, best of luck to all.

[Alex McLean]

Firstly, thank you to all the kind words in emails, phonecalls, and SMS's over the last 24 hours. It is all greatly appreciated by me, Lisa, and the whole crew here at Velocity. It is such a shame we can't keep the whole thing happening.

This isn't to say that someone couldn't make a go of this. We've basically burned up all our finances on the set-up costs, and we have had to continuously put money in to keep things open while the numbers grew. I believe that in another 12-24 months, you could start to make money out of the place, but we just don't have enough to bridge the gap.

I've had heaps of people contact me looking to buy various parts of the business already, but I would obviously like to see the whole lot go together and someone take the concept to a successful stage. (Plus I want to keep playing here - and I'll NEVER whinge about the prices!)

So if there's someone out there who wants the whole box and dice at a very reduced price, then please contact me on 07 3277 7757 or email alex@velocitypaintball.com.au.

[SniperWolf]

Wear your Velocity shirt if you've got one!

thats means velocity shirts will be rare now, they'll be worth a fortune. Then, if my calculations are correct, we can buy back velocity. hurray:bigparty:

[Jamie_Cracker]

bugger its a real loss to aussie paintball...not to mention the hearache that you guys mustve gone through
i wanted to come and check the place out last time i was up there but a certain drunk person stopped me

[Arfer]

Well this has come as an absolute shock. Its like I have (and the rest of Aussie Paintball Players alike), been just smacked in the cranium with a very heavily used baseball bat. Wow! Still cant believe it! :no:

To Alex and Lisa, I thank you for pointing me in the right direction to become involved with paintball. Its something that I grown to fully enjoy being part of. Without your direction, I would not have even become involved in such an enjoyable sport. You both have been great friends to me personally, and its a shame that when I pay a visit to Queensland in the future, that I will not be able to swing past Velocity and lay some paint down one of the best Paintball Venues I have ever had the opportunity to play at. I wish you two (and the staff of Velocity Paintball), all the best for the future. :respekt:

This is truly a dark day in Paintball History.

All the best folks,
Cheers,
Arf.
:thumbsup: :beer:

[Tripod]

Sorry Arf I was going to message you but just wasnt really in the mood last night :) you know how it is.

[Alex McLean]

I have had heaps of enquiries about buying gear from Velocity. This is not the thread to do it in, so check out http://www.billspaintball.com/vb3/showthread.php?t=9374

Thank you again for all the ongoing and heartfelt support from everyone. If we could survive on the good nature of those people who have been in touch over the last couple of days, we would have lasted forever...

[Arfer]

Yeah dude, I can understand.

[dooleyksig]

This is sad news for Australian paintball. Velocity was a top class operation and allowed for new players and old alike to have a go at tournament paintball. Alex and Lisa you have done a great job to expose QLD to a very well run and friendly run paintball experience. I will really miss not being able to come back and play. I am sure you will be missed and there are great things to come I am sure of it.
Dooley

[Doing]

i am gonna cry... :(

velocity left it's mark on me guys, i loved that place. very bad news :(

[RG_]

Some pics from today...

http://images.fotopic.net/yjgwj7.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/yjgwj8.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/yjgwjc.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/yjgwja.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/yjgwjb.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/yjgwj9.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/yjgwjd.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/yjgwje.jpg

[RG_]

http://images.fotopic.net/yjgwj4.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/yjgwjg.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/yjgwjh.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/yjgwjj.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/yjgwjm.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/yjgwjn.jpg

[RG_]

http://images.fotopic.net/yjgwjp.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/yjgwjr.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/yjgwjw.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/yjgwjz.jpg

[KENNY]

top job champ... :thumbsup:
just gettin home now.. 0450hrs :bundy:

[Tripod]

I was thinking of you guys as I drove back from Bundy...shame I missed it.

[russ]

I was looking forward to playing there.

[Mark:-)]

massive parts of the night are missing from my memory :-O

i'm sure i'll hear about it at samford on the 8th.

[shelle]

And now that you've kindly informed all the others that were there of your memory loss, i'm sure that any embarrassing incidents will be created and/or embellished to heighten the embarrassment :yes: :evil :lol:

[Rohypnol]

i dunno how many people actaully have pics of velocity, but i'd love to see it, as i never had the honour of seeing what it was like, i'm sure there's others who would also like to see the setup :yes:

[The Camo Kid]

i dunno how many people actaully have pics of velocity, but i'd love to see it, as i never had the honour of seeing what it was like, i'm sure there's others who would also like to see the setup :yes:

video from one of the times i played there

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4967055481107287595&q=velocity+paintball

[N3B]

Ahh that takes me back... seeing you on a airball field.
That layout with the rocket was one of my fave's.....dammit what's with all the dust in this thread???

Now I've got some in my eye.

[Mark:-)]

And now that you've kindly informed all the others that were there of your memory loss, i'm sure that any embarrassing incidents will be created and/or embellished to heighten the embarrassment :yes: :evil :lol:

had a shower this morning and realised there were signatures on my ass... I think Latte violated me :-|

[Trapper]

i told everyone he gets a bit randy when he has had a few. shame i missed the rest of the night danm family (not to mention training coarse the next morning at 8am)

[Tripod]

had a shower this morning and realised there were signatures on my ass... I think Latte violated me :-|

As long as your not walking funny its all OK:dance:

[Kahnage]

sorry i missed the arvo guys i had to drive to the airport!
didnt reealise you where there till early mornin!

[Bareback]

As long as your not walking funny its all OK:dance:


I heard Mark was in a wheelchair, but we all know that's not possible...

[KENNY]

I heard Mark was in a wheelchair, but we all know that's not possible...

no wheelchair, but he was obsessed with all tha boobs at a certain one-time sponsor's establishment... :rofl:

[Kahnage]

no wheelchair, but he was obsessed with all tha boobs at a certain one-time sponsor's establishment... :rofl:

I think he was paralytic not paraplegic:bundy:

[The Camo Kid]

its mark, what else is new???? he would goto the pub during the lunch break at tafe!!!!!

[Mark:-)]

its mark, what else is new???? he would goto the pub during the lunch break at tafe!!!!!

hahaha good times good times :-)