Historic New Kensington Alcoa building becoming 3-floor, indoor paintball arena

An historic, three-story building that once was Alcoa’s headquarters in New Kensington is becoming an indoor paintball battlefield.

Rooms that had been offices and labs will become spaces players will have to carefully clear, lest they get nailed. The lowest floor, darkened, will glow in the dark.

Tom Bianco, owner of SteelTown Paintball, plans to open for play Nov. 1 at the former Alcoa research center, now a performance and event center called AK Valley Park, on Freeport Road. Reservations begin Oct. 1.

“This is like a dream come true for paintballers,” he said walking through the building, known on the campus as Building 29 for the year it was built.

“There’s nothing like what we’re going to do anywhere,” he said. “We’re going to be drawing people from all over the country.”

Tristen Kubrick, president of AK Valley Park and son of park owner Steve Kubrick, found and contacted Bianco about running his business in the building because of his own interest in paintball and the video game “Call of Duty.” He’s a partner in the indoor venture.

“I thought it would be a very interesting venture for the city of New Kensington,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s really just for fun and to bring something that adds value for the city.”

Condominiums had been in Steve Kubrick’s plans for Building 29, an historic landmark designed by famed architect Henry Hornbostel. He’s not given up on that, and renting the building for paintball will bring income to move the project forward, he said.

The paintball operation is using the entire building, with a lease of up to two years, Steve Kubrick said.

“It’s going to be the biggest indoor one around,” Kubrick said.

Bianco of Bloomfield has been running SteelTown Paintball outdoors in Emsworth for about a year and a half. He had been looking for an indoor venue so he can operate no matter the weather, host private parties and offer training for law enforcement.

In addition to paintball, he offers airsoft and laser tag.

“Our goal is everyone goes home with a smile on their face,” he said.

The windows of the lowest floor have been darkened, with bunkers spaced throughout for players to hide behind, and it will glow in the dark, Bianco said. Another floor has many rooms, which players will have to clear.

In addition to games, Bianco said he envisions police officers using the facility for training, with people to rescue and adversaries to avoid.

Bianco said he has three employees and expects to hire 10 to 15 more. Some of his current players have been helping get the building ready.

With hours of 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., the facility will be booked for games during the week and open to anyone to jump in on weekends, Bianco said. He welcomes people to train with them and learn how to defend themselves.

“It teaches people their awareness of everything around them,” he said.

The cost will be $30 per person, plus the cost of paint.

Food will be available from AK Valley Park out of the event center in Building 44.

“It’s going to be amazing,” Bianco said. “I can’t wait to start.”