By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG – Two Canadian businessmen hope to turn the Newell Building into a family entertainment center that includes paintball, mini golf, combat training, laser tag  and a firing range.

Vollundur “Wally” Thorbjornsson, owner of CP Rentals and Property Management, Carleton Place, Ontario Canada and Richard Peskett, Siloki Inc., Smiths Falls, Ontario Canada presented before the full council at the Monday meeting.

Thorbjornsson said Ogdensburg is a prime location for such a venture. He said he has been eying properties in the area for more than a year and that his interested in purchasing the Newell Building and the Former St. Joseph’s nursing home.

Peskett said he currently operates a family oriented entertainment business in Smiths Falls, a town his says is similar to Ogdensburg. He said the town suffered when it lost its Hershey plant, but said that his business is a boon for the area. He said 17 professional paintball teams use his area, but added that he could tap a pool of 65 teams if he had the space to do so.

Peskett said he could begin bringing professional paintball teams into the area as soon as February if the city accepts his proposal and from there he said the business will grow to provide a wide variety of entertainment for St. Lawrence County. He added that equipment could be shared between his two businesses, which would keep both facilities fresh.

He said the closest paintball arena to the Ottawa market is in Montreal, and that people will travel to Ogdensburg for training, practice and tournaments. He said Ogdensburg’s facility would actually be the biggest arena in the north east.

Peskett said the business would create jobs for locals and be a boon to businesses. He estimated a small professional paintball tournament could provide an economic impact of more than $500,000 to the area. Peskett also said that he is excited about tapping into the New York market. He said New York contains a population comparable to the size of his entire country, and that he is confident people will make the trip when he brings in celebrities and professionals.

Pesekett said his business plan also includes working with local businesses. In Smiths Falls he said his entertainment center is a place where parents drop off the kids and go shopping. He said Siloki provides coupons for local businesses there and is able to generate a customer base for them.

Pesekett said he would also like to expand into the outdoor adventure tourism that would include rock walls and zip lines.

Thorbjornsson noted that the offer on the building was small, but said the benefit to the community would be great. He said the business would have a ripple effect on the community and would secure traffic for local businesses.

City Manager John Pinkerton said he received an offer, but would not disclose as the deal is still being negotiated. Pinkerton also noted that the facility is located in an industrial zone and that a zoning change would likely be needed to allow for the proposal.

Pinkerton suggested the city form an economic development committee to review the deal and other proposals he said the city has received on vacant properties.

The board named Bill Hosmer, Dan Skamperle and Brian Mitchell to the committee that will meet with city staff regarding the proposals.