Exciting And Unique New Business May Be Coming To Wabash’s South Side

By Tim Arnett

WABASH,Indiana – The City of Wabash Board of Zoning Appeals paved the way for an Indoor Recreation and Training Center to be located at 1295 Vernon Street on the south side of Wabash. The board granted David Kahn a special exception and variance to open an airsoft and lazer tag indoor arena in the former factory site which has been vacant for the past three years. The 100,000 sq. foot building has three floors which will be used for teams to engage in mock combat with either airsoft or lazer tag weapons. Kahn explained to the board that airsoft weapons shoot a 6mm plastic bead with a 400 foot per second velocity, making them safer than a metal-beaded BB gun. Eye protection will, of course, be mandatory for all those who enter the arena.

The concept is relatively novel to the area. The closest paint ball arena is north of Ft. Wayne, Kahn said, and the closest airsoft gaming location is in Michigan. The business would employ around six individuals and Kahn told the board he and his wife will on site as much as they can.

Kahn, however, does not yet own the building. He was waiting to see if the zoning board would grant him his needed variance and special exception before purchasing the large building at the bottom of the valley on Vernon Street. Kahn, who lives in Ft. Wayne, told the board that he has looked all over the area for an affordable building large enough to accommodate the various bunkers and mock-ups that will go into the gaming arena. In fact, Kahn told MiBash News that the building and it’s various floors could cater to a maximum 60 players at one time.

And not only will the site be used for adventure seekers wanting to engage in mock combat with their friends and colleagues. Kahn also told the board that the gaming arena will regularly be used to train local law enforcement. He noted that the south side would likely be a safer place with all the number of law enforcement attending seminars on the site or engaging in police training.

Kahn also plans on putting a small retail store in the building. The store will sell various airsoft guns and accessories. But many of the local residents at the meeting were concerned with the other thing Kahn is planning on selling: firearms and ammunition. His business would be the only licensed firearms dealership in the city limits south of the river. Kahn assured concerned residents Thursday night that safety will be his number one issue and that unsavory individuals will not be permitted on his property. Potential new business owner David Kahn.

The City of Wabash Board of Zoning Appeals voted 5 to 0 to permit the variance and special exception.