Three Rivers Paintball
Three Rivers Paintball, also known as Three Rivers Paintball Park, is an American paintball facility located in Freedom, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh. Established during the early 1980s, it is one of the longstanding commercial paintball fields in the United States.
The venue is particularly associated with the International Amateur Open, which it hosted until 2001 and again in 2006, and the inaugural Spyder Cup in 2000.[1][2][3]
History
[edit]Establishment
[edit]Three Rivers Paintball was established by Ryan Krischke and several associates during the early development of commercial paintball in the United States.
In a 2011 interview with WARPIG, Debra Dion Krischke recalled that her husband and friends began operating the business in 1982. She described it as one of the earliest fields associated with National Survival Game, the company involved in commercialising paintball during the sport's formative years.[4]
The facility's official website, however, identifies 1983 as its establishment year. The precise opening date is therefore inconsistently documented.[5]
Ryan and Debra Krischke subsequently operated the facility together. Their involvement in tournament organisation also established Three Rivers Paintball as a venue for national competition.
International Amateur Open
[edit]Three Rivers Paintball became closely associated with the International Amateur Open, an annual competition established by Debra Dion Krischke in 1990.
Originally known as the National Amateur Open, the event was organised by Team Effort Events and developed into a major gathering for amateur tournament players, equipment manufacturers and paintball businesses.[2]
During the 1990s, the tournament used the venue's wooded playing fields, alongside constructed concept fields introduced for selected divisions.
The event also incorporated trade exhibitions, industry conferences and equipment demonstrations.
By 2001, the competition had outgrown the available space at Three Rivers Paintball. Additional land was required for parking, while the growing number of exhibitors required larger facilities.
For 2002, the International Amateur Open relocated to the Big Butler Fairgrounds, where competition shifted towards purpose-built concept fields.[2]
2000 Spyder Cup
[edit]On 27–28 May 2000, Three Rivers Paintball hosted the inaugural Spyder Cup, organised by Kingman International in cooperation with Team Effort Events.
The amateur five-player tournament attracted 99 teams competing exclusively with mechanically operated Spyder markers.
The competition offered prizes valued at more than US$117,000, including five Ford Mustang cars for the winning team.
KAPP Factory won the tournament, finishing ahead of Strange, OBR I and Machine.
The event received contemporary coverage from WARPIG, which documented the competition, participating teams and final results.[3]
Return of the International Amateur Open
[edit]In 2006, the International Amateur Open returned to Three Rivers Paintball under the name Three Rivers Paintball Festival.
The event marked a return to the woodland playing environment associated with its earlier history.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, approximately 1,500 competitors attended the five-day festival, which included tournament competition, scenario paintball and commercial exhibitors.
The event occupied approximately 70 acres and provided camping facilities and other activities alongside the competition.[6]
The 2006 event was the final edition of the International Amateur Open.[4]
Facilities
[edit]Three Rivers Paintball operates at 282 Rochester Road, Freedom, Pennsylvania, in Beaver County.
The facility combines wooded paintball terrain with constructed playing areas. Its official website describes more than 70 acres of land containing nine playing fields.
The park has included woodland environments, forts, defensive structures and inflatable-bunker playing areas.
Additional facilities include an equipment shop, rental equipment, staging areas and covered pavilions.[5]
Recreational paintball
[edit]Alongside its tournament history, Three Rivers Paintball has continued operating as a recreational paintball facility.
The park accommodates individual players and private groups, offering organised sessions for participants with different levels of experience.
Its recreational activities include woodland paintball, scenario games and introductory sessions using rental equipment.[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- WARPIG, Dawn Mills, "IAO Goes Retro", June 2006. Historical account of the International Amateur Open and its association with Three Rivers Paintball.
- WARPIG, "Diablo International Amateur Open", 2002. Contemporary reporting on the tournament's relocation from Three Rivers Paintball to the Big Butler Fairgrounds.
- WARPIG, Bill Mills, "Kingman Spyder Cup", 27–28 May 2000. Contemporary tournament coverage documenting the venue, organisers, participation and results.
- WARPIG, Bill Mills, "Debra Krishke – In the Hot Seat", July 2011. Interview discussing the establishment and operation of Three Rivers Paintball and the history of the International Amateur Open.
- Three Rivers Paintball Park, "Our Park". Official facility history, establishment date and descriptions of playing fields and amenities.
- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, John Vivirito Jr., "Potshot hotshots", 10 August 2006. Contemporary report covering the Three Rivers Paintball Festival and the event's return to the original venue.