By Liz Beavers
lbeavers@newstribune.info
Tribune Managing Editor

KEYSER – The Mineral County Commissioners signed a lease Tuesday with Mikel Hicks, president of the Mineral County Paintball League, for the establishment of a paintball facility at Larenim Park off Patterson Creek Road near Burlington.
The five-year lease extends from Nov. 15, 2008, until Nov. 15, 2013, at a cost of $1 per year.
County Coordinator Mike Bland explained that the property involved is  the field located between the base of the dam and the amphitheater.
“It’s the former muzzleloader range,” he said.
Hicks had previously approached the Mineral County Parks and Recreation Commission earlier this month with the idea of establishing a paintball field at the former tennis courts along state Route 46 between Keyser and Fort Ashby.
Upon investigation by Bland, however, it was discovered that the county is currently in possesion of a grant for the sole purpose of placing a baseball field on the former courts.
Hicks therefore changed his focus to the county-owned park near Burlington,.
Tuesday, Bland said the lease stipulates that the Mineral County Paintball League must provide $1 million in liability insurance on the property and cannot construct any permanent structures.
When Commissioner Wayne Spiggle asked if there was any “down side” to the proposition, Bland replied that he had a concern about “unsupervised use and vandalism.”
The commissioners noted, however, that the park is open to the public and could be subject to such problems whether or not the field is leased.
“I think this organization will see that things are done
properly,” Commission President Janice LaRue said.
Spiggle noted that it is good for the commission to “encourage a full spectrum of recreational activities in the county” and the paintball league is one way to do that.
Hicks, the co-manager of the local 84 Lumber business, and Jerry Whisner, of New Creek, told the Parks and Recreation Board they will soon begin organizing the paintball league and six to eight charter members will be selected.
“This is a wonderful sport, a lot of fun, and many friendships are made through participation,” he said.
For safety purposes, he pointed out that certified, trained referees will be present at all games.
“We will always have a controlled and safe environment for the games,” Hicks said.
Hicks told the commission that, once the commissioners approved the lease, they could begin work on the facility with the goal of a grand opening in the spring.