The Kamloops Speedball Association is seeking permission to set up a recreational speedball (paintball) facility at Tournament Capital Ranch, located north of Rayleigh along the Yellowhead Highway.

Because the land is inside the Agricultural Land Reserve, the City must first send the non-farm use application to the Agricultural Land Commission for approval.

At a recent council meeting, city staff explained that speedball is a fast-paced, team paintball sport played on open fields with temporary barriers and netting. The proposed site is an undeveloped portion of the 38-hectare multi-sport complex, which already includes baseball diamonds, soccer fields, and other facilities.

The Speedball Association has been searching for a suitable location since 2020, and the city says the new facility would offer economic, health, and social benefits to the community by providing more recreational opportunities and supporting youth programs.

City staff also assured council that paintballs are water-based and biodegradable, and the playing fields would have netting and referees to prevent paintballs from escaping the area or harming nearby fish habitats.

A five-year lease with an option to renew for another five years is planned, but council will first decide whether to forward the application to the Agricultural Land Commission.

Councilors expressed interest in reviewing the lease details once the application process progresses.

The decision is expected after the Agricultural Land Commission reviews the application, which balances recreational use with protecting the agricultural land.