Locker Magazine Summer 2015 | Page 42

/// NXL CLEVELAND CAN YOU SEE ME NOW! Written by /// Joe Barrett. Photography by /// William Lowry. Cleveland Ohio, pulling into the venue parking lot of an unfamiliar location. After seasons on seasons of PSP events at places I’ve come to know like my own neighborhoods, with go to restaurants and favorite hotels, so I must say it’s refreshing to pull into a new venue. Even better, a paintball event in a new city, one unexposed to large national ev ents! The f irst thing I noticed was the professional atmosphere. Driving into the massive parking area, with more than enough to accommodate the hundreds of players, as well as friends and local spectators. Stepping through the new NXL inf lated entrance gates, I got my f irst taste of the new event location. It of course starts off with vendor alley, f illed with the expected major companies of paintball such as GI Sportz, HKarmy, Empire, Virtue and more. One single row made for a long walk from end to end, but on the far side near the food trucks, was a gathering area, something new to paintball events. Providing more than just paintball, beer, karaoke, beanbag toss, and a volley ball court, with NXL staff encouraging players involvement. With family, little kids and girlfriends getting bored, this became an oasis. .042 /// Summer 2015 Locker /// .043