The Story of Paintball Mirabel
Last Update - November 22, 2024
1991
It all began in 1991, when three passionate paintball enthusiasts decided to open their own paintball center. They worked tirelessly to create two makeshift fields on a rented lot just for fun. They bought a van to use as both a service counter and equipment storage, offering rental gear—mainly for their friends.
1993
The real adventure began in 1993 with the purchase of land and the public opening under the name Opération Survie Paintball. A third field was built, along with a simple shelter and picnic tables to welcome guests. The idea was to offer top-quality paintball challenges to players as passionate as the founders.
1994–1996
New fields were added year after year, continuously pushing the experience further. In 1996, Paintball Mirabel rose from the ashes of Opération Survie Paintball. A second piece of land was acquired, allowing for themed environments like The Village, The Fortress, The Palisades, and Desert Storm. Many more were on the horizon.
1997–1999
As the center kept expanding, new fields and a welcome center were built to meet growing demand. Realism became key to standing out. Military vehicles and realistic props replaced basic setups—no more simple flag games in the woods!
2000–2003
In 2000, Paintball Mirabel took a bold step by opening Urban City, one of the most realistic paintball fields ever created. A small gear shop was launched, and more fields followed. The center was quickly becoming Quebec’s #1 paintball destination.
2004–2006
Rapid growth led to the construction of two massive domes: one for summer visitors and the other for winter play. One dome also included administrative offices. A fourth enthusiast joined the team to launch Impact Proshop, now a full-service store for paintball gear. A synthetic turf competition field was also built—the first indoor game dome, welcome area, pro shop, offices, and competition field all in one place.
2007–2008
To improve service, an advanced player management system with wristbands and barcodes was introduced. Realism was taken to another level with construction machinery enabling the creation of Bombardement, a field filled with craters, military vehicles, and buildings.
2009
2010–2012
In 2010, the Crash field debuted, inspired by military video games, with crashed planes, hangars, control towers, vehicles, and underground passages. With 33 fields, the focus shifted to improving existing ones like The Dunes, The Shack, and The Landing. The Tippmann Challenge broke records with 1,000 participants and became an international reference event.
2013
2014
A full brand update began with a new website and field map. A dedicated Tippmann Challenge section was added. In February, the MK3 Tactical Simulation Project launched, led by an active military team member, offering hyper-realistic, real-time scenarios lasting up to 24 hours. Work began on the new Aftermath field, built to resemble war-torn cities with cement buildings and underground paths.
2015
2016
To refresh the Tippmann Challenge, The Landing – Version 2.0 was unveiled, featuring new trenches, military truck shells, and abandoned boats.
2017
Impact Proshop expanded again with a brand-new website for easier shopping. Paintball Mirabel introduced Low-Impact Paintball, a new activity for kids and beginners.
2018
2019
A new dome was built for added comfort during breaks and meals. A major upgrade to the online booking system simplified reservations and improved the welcome process.
2020-2021
The COVID-19 pandemic hit the paintball industry hard. Many centers closed. Paintball Mirabel endured the slowdown while launching innovations like eco-friendly sanitary blocks with four individual restrooms. The long-standing Urban City field was reinforced during this downtime.
2022
As momentum returned post-COVID, the Crash field was expanded with more wreckage, barrels, turrets, and a massive three-story hangar.
2023
The Hyperball field was created, and the Speedball field was converted into a Speedsoft field for competitive airsoft players. A large fleet of airsoft guns was acquired for rentals. Jelly Ball, a new family-friendly activity for all ages, was launched. The Combat Village field also made its comeback.
2024
After years of wear, both domes were re-covered, improving the indoor experience across the pro shop, welcome desk, indoor field, and offices. The digital reservation system, 17 years in the making, neared completion. A new lighting project was launched, including blacklight UV systems for indoor Jelly Ball and Airsoft—even playable during the day with glow-in-the-dark ammo.
2025
Coming in 2025: three new fields and a new sound system to make the Paintball Mirabel experience even more immersive.
We’ve Come a Long Way Since 1991!
From our early games on simple fields to today’s cutting-edge terrains, advanced booking systems, heated neutral zones, indoor domes, and full-service Impact Proshop, the journey has been extraordinary.
It all started with a strong friendship, a shared passion, and a dream. But none of it would have been possible without you—the players who have come since 1993. Whether you’ve visited once or return every year, your presence and ideas inspire us to always aim higher.
Our greatest reward? Seeing the smiles and hearing the laughter at the end of the day. That’s what fuels us.
Paintball Mirabel is Canada’s #1 paintball theme park—and we’re committed to staying on top by always evolving and offering the best possible experience.
Don’t wait—come live it for yourself!