Mid-January in Melbourne saw ICP Group APAC host our annual CSS training event for our industry partners. Many traveled from around Australia and APAC, including partners from the Philippines, South Korea, India, China, New Zealand, Germany and Czech Republic. Our own Sami Rahman from ICP USA had the pleasure of meeting our network partners for the first time.
The educational part of our day focused on our CSS cushion systems, both mat lay and liquid rubber, as well as improved formulations in our line marking, line sharp and new technologies with our CoolTop® temperature-reducing acrylic coatings.
Our project tour highlights included visits to Maribyrnong College tennis Academy, Sandringham College Bayside Netball, Duncan Mc Kinnon Netball Reserve and the new pickleball courts at Game for Padel Richmond.
The group were educated by our guest speakers, which included Mark Slane from Hardwood Technologies New Zealand, Michael Blomer from Tennis Queensland and Andy Kemmerer from AV Syntec Europa Germany.
Our evening dinner saw a reflection and tribute to both Malcolm Parkes and John Tcheun who both sadly passed recently. We also celebrated with many awards to our lifetime partners for their contribution to the industry, loyalty, and support of the California Sports Surface brands for many years.
We finished the event with a day out at the Australian Open, spending time with the team from Tennis Australia enjoying some fabulous tennis at Melbourne Park.
ASBA 2023 OUTSTANDING FACILITIES OF THE YEAR
California Sports Surfaces is very proud to be the surface on 5 of the ASBA 2023 Outstanding Facilities of the Year. Here are the highlights:
OUTSTANDING OUTDOOR PICKLEBALL FACILITY OF THE YEAR
SURFACE: Plexipave
CERTIFIED TENNIS COURT BUILDER: Linn Lower
COMPLETED: March 2023
The City of Gardendale decided to completely rebuild its park facility and also install a new 11-court pickleball facility due to demand for the sport. The new pickleball complex is next to the existing tennis courts (which also were renovated), sharing a social room and restrooms. The pickleball facility was designed with generous areas between and behind the courts for observation and socializing. A stadium court was installed with concrete tiered seating on three sides. Since the entire park was being renovated, construction of the pickleball courts was constantly interrupted and delayed to accommodate work elsewhere. Yet the result is a venue ideal for both recreational and tournament use.
OUTSTANDING OUTDOOR PICKLEBALL FACILITY OF THE YEAR – SILVER AWARD
SURFACE: California Sports Surfaces
CERTIFIED TENNIS COURT BUILDER: Lower Bros. Co. Inc.
OUTSTANDING OUTDOOR PICKLEBALL FACILITY OF THE YEAR – BRONZE AWARD
SURFACE: California Sports Surfaces
CERTIFIED TENNIS COURT BUILDER: Welch Tennis Courts Inc.
OUTSTANDING RESIDENTIAL TENNIS FACILITY OF THE YEAR
SURFACE: California Sports Surfaces
CERTIFIED TENNIS COURT BUILDER: McConnell & Associates
COMPLETED: June 2022
One of our Plexicushion courts was included in this unique arrangement of courts featuring multiple premium surfaces. The homeowner wanted three tennis courts designed to simulate three of the major tennis playing surfaces— the hard courts (on post-tensioned concrete slabs) at the US Open and Australian Open, and the clay of the French Open. To deal with a significant grade change, a large retaining wall had to be built first in order to align the courts from north to south, which delayed construction of the courts themselves and created access challenges. Sloping trench drains and drain tiles installed behind the retaining wall create an area for runoff to flow to the adjacent storm sewer line.
OUTSTANDING OUTDOOR TENNIS FACILITY OF THE YEAR – SILVER AWARD
SURFACE: California Sports Surfaces
CERTIFIED TENNIS COURT BUILDER: Welch Tennis Courts Inc.