The 亚洲天堂 Lake Airsoft Association is gearing up for a busy start to the year as they look to expand their club after a slow season.

Last year was very slow, according to warehouse manager Curtis Lobermayer, and the volunteer association is hoping the efforts and improvements they're putting in this year will help their club become bigger and better.

"Was it due to hot weather, other community events happening or lack of advertising on our part, we aren't sure," Lobermayer said.

"We did Western Days and Fall Fair, and used our Facebook page as best we could to get our name out but didn't seem to have much success getting new players or volunteers, so this year we are really going all out in that department."

The association is a group of volunteers who organize airsoft games for residents of 亚洲天堂 Lake and the surrounding region, and was officially incorporated as a non-profit society in 2018.

Their main goal is to promote the simulated combat sport and maintain a safe environment for players to enjoy. The club was originally founded as a paintball association but refocused their efforts with the rise in popularity of airsoft as a sport. 

The club has joined the 亚洲天堂 Lake Chamber of Commerce and will be making new handouts to give out at events throughout the year. They are also in talks with the Visitor Centre to get the association's information in there.

They have also started growing their Facebook page through paid and targeted ads, and already have almost 700 followers. Lobermayer says this kind of advertising and exposure is crucial for this season as they are in the process of a massive three-part upgrade project which will completely revamp their club.

Zoning issues and other difficulties prevented the club from completing the project last year. They started part one in the fall by getting CGR Contracting and Consulting to come in and clear their access road into the field of brush, allowing for the road to be gravelled and graded, once the snow and ice are gone.

The new road will allow for more vehicles into the fields, as only pickup vehicles and some SUVs are able to make the trip on the road in its current state.

Part two involves their staging area commonly referred to as "MASH." This open-air deck area has been out in the elements and deteriorated to the point it is no longer safe.

They started fundraising ing last year to replace the structure with a tin-roofed version for better protection against the elements for their players during breaks from gameplay and when they are gearing up.

Zoning issues again put a damper on the project, but they have since been resolved and the association is ready to start the project again.

"We are set to start building once the snow is gone and the ground is thawed to pour foundation," Lobermayer said. 

Lobermayer also says he is hoping to gather a few more volunteers from their Facebook page to help demolish and rebuild the structure, as the cost has gotten much higher than they first anticipated.

"The more we can save on labour and materials means that we can do much more upgrades, making the game area bigger and better with more features," he said.

A permanent barbecue is also being planned in this new structure, allowing for players to bring propane and cook during games.

Part three will involve replacing the outhouse facilities as the current one was built over a decade ago and has deteriorated beyond repair just like the MASH deck.

The association has received donations from 亚洲天堂 Lake Community Forest, Chinook Community Forest and the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako for the project so far, and Lobermayer is hopeful that the big changes will pay dividends.

"Our hope is that the 亚洲天堂 Lake Airsoft club will become a more well-known recreational sport here in 亚洲天堂 Lake and surrounding areas, hopefully attracting new players as well as maybe some new volunteers with these upgrades," he said.

The club will keep everyone updated with the project on their Facebook page during the entire project.