By Emma Peterson. 

Forge new connections, nurture existing relationships and build partnerships for success at the 2026 ASBA technical meeting.  

This December, the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA) will be hosting their largest meeting! From December 1–4, 2026, ASBA members from around the world will come together in Tampa, Florida to make business connections that change the future of sports building. 

One of the priorities of the show is the technical education offerings! There will be 34 different sessions spanning all parts of the industry, from courts and tracks to fields and indoor facilities. This is a great opportunity for you to get valuable and practical insights that you can implement in your business in the new year.
It also gives certified builders the opportunity to earn up to 12 eligibility points. 

Another great opportunity for attendees is the extensive trade show floor! This year, there are over 143 different exhibitors signed up for the show, including industry leaders like Advanced Drainage Systems, California Sports Surfaces and Rain Bird. This is the perfect opportunity to see the newest products and innovations in the sports construction world. And while you’re exploring the trade show floor, make sure to stop by booth 840 (on the right side of the lobby) to say hi to The Coffee Shops® crew!  

And if that all wasn’t enough to get you to book your flight, the ASBA technical meeting hosts a variety of meals, events and other activities where you can network with the builders, designers, manufacturers and other professionals who are making the decisions about the future of the industry. These include division meetings, a golf tournament, a tennis/pickleball competition, a welcome reception, a sporting clays outing and more.  

Register today to join your industry peers and leaders in setting the pace for the future of sports building.

By Emma Peterson.

One industry expert shares insight into how to effectively coat court surfaces.

At the end of July, The Coffee Shops® crew got an incredible opportunity – record a live CoatingsTalk out on a jobsite with the CourTex Construction crew to see them finish installing California Sports Surfaces’ CoolTop®. Not only was this a great opportunity to see the talented work of applicators in person, but Weston Ready, president of CourTex, walked us through each step of the coating process, providing valuable background and insight into how quality installations set projects up for long-term success.

Weston started by explaining the work that must happen before the crew gets to the jobsite, sharing, “Day one, we meet the customer and find the footprint that makes the most sense. To do that, we have someone on site to shoot grades with a laser and determine the elevations. Then that data gets sent to Chelsea in the office, who calculates an estimate.” Once that estimate is made, the CourTex sales team looks it over and customizes it to the needs of the individual client. Weston explained, “To be clear, they’re not trying to upsell things the customer doesn't need. They’re just really learning the person and the project to ensure that the court we build serves their needs.”

From there, it’s time to get the crew in the field. At CourTex, they run everything in-house, from the excavation and the coating to the lighting and hoops. Weston went over the installation timeline:

We start with what’s called a cut and fill, which is used to get a 1% (per ASBA standards) and 95% compaction rates. Then we put in a post-tension foundation. That has a 30 to 40 day cure time, and while that’s curing, we put in the components, such as the lighting and the fencing. Once the cure’s done, our crew gets out there and starts surfacing. Which, in short, entails patch prep, acid etch, acrylic resurfacing, color coat line primer and then lines.

While our team was out recording with Weston, the CourTex crew was actively working on the line portion of that process. Looking at their work, precision was clearly the name of the game. As Weston put it, “We don’t want to rush anything. When you’re working with the lines, you actually spend a lot of time cleaning and leaf blowing so that aggregate, insects and bugs are not on the court when we’re doing the actual painting...Timing and patience is huge.”

And it’s this careful attention that sets crews like Weston’s apart from the crowd. As he put it, “Detail's everything if you're trying to be the best at what you do and nothing's going to beat workmanship, you have to have talented people that care about their work. In my opinion, someone that cares is the main thing that's just going to separate great from good.”

Want to see Weston’s crew at work? Watch the live recording from the jobsite! You can also Listen to our conversation with Weston for more about proper sports coating installation.

By Emma Peterson. 

A special CoatingsTalk® recorded in the field explores how changing recreation trends are reshaping the athletic surfaces market. 

In a special live from the jobsite CoatingsTalk®, Heidi J. Ellsworth got the chance to meet up with Weston Ready, the president of Texas-based CourTex Construction, on one of his company’s coating projects. As Weston’s team finished up installing a California Sports Surfaces’ coating (Plexipave®), Heidi got to pick his brain about the growing sports surfaces niche and the unique demands of athletic facilities.  

The conversation started with Weston sharing his history in the sports surfaces market, saying, “I’ve been in the business for 16 years. At this point, our team is surfacing and resurfacing a little over 700 courts a year across the country — about 80% commercial, 20% residential.” Recently, he has noticed the market has grown more popular with new companies entering the scene. 

When we asked what has driven this growth, he pointed to the rise of popularity of padel (a racquet sport that combines elements of tennis and squash) and pickleball (a racket sport that resembles tennis played on a doubles badminton court). He elaborated:  

Every year there are trends and there are shifts. Right now, padel is up and coming and pickleball, as we all know, is super popular. We’re even seeing pickleball become an organized sport in colleges. In response, a lot of parks and recreation buildings are converting spaces into courts for these games, and some people are even building play areas in their backyards.  

Weston’s best advice for people coming into this market? Learn the proper ways to install sports surfaces. He explained, “It looks easy on paper and it's a very tough business. We have seen an uptick in maintenance work specifically related to correcting deficiencies in other people's installs.” 

Where can you learn about the best practices for sports surface installations? Industry associations, like the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA), and veterans like Weston. He shared, “Getting involved is so valuable. I love hanging out with the suppliers, getting to know the vendors and even working with friendly competitors. I would always find a way to work with a competitor versus against one.”  

Want to learn more? Listen to the whole conversation with Weston or Watch the recording of our live stream from the job site!

Join us for this special Live CoatingsTalk on the final day of a three-day multi-sport athletic surface install project with California Sports Surfaces and CourTex Construction. We’ll explore the growing sport surface niche, the unique demands of athletic coatings and the importance of strong contractor-manufacturer relationships. From selecting California Sports Surfaces CoolTop® to applying color coats, laying out lines and completing final touch-ups, the conversation will highlight how each step affects texture, playability and long-term performance. We’ll also cover common installation mistakes, final inspections, cure times and the details that separate a court that simply looks good from one built to perform.

Register now!

Join us for this special Live CoatingsTalk on the final day of a three-day multi-sport athletic surface install project with California Sports Surfaces and CourTex Construction. We’ll explore the growing sport surface niche, the unique demands of athletic coatings and the importance of strong contractor-manufacturer relationships. From selecting California Sports Surfaces CoolTop® to applying color coats, laying out lines and completing final touch-ups, the conversation will highlight how each step affects texture, playability and long-term performance. We’ll also cover common installation mistakes, final inspections, cure times and the details that separate a court that simply looks good from one built to perform.

Register now!

By Emma Peterson. 

On this live CoatingsTalk, experts from California Sports Surfaces and CourTex Construction will discuss athletic coatings, contractor partnerships and the final day of a three-day court installation. 

We are excited to announce that CoatingsTalk will be coming to you live on July 30, 2026, which is the final day of a three-day multi-sport athletic surface install project! The episode, Live from the Court!, will showcase a project that features California Sports Surfaces’ CoolTop® product with installation provided by CourTex Construction.  

California Sports Surfaces is a leading sports surfaces manufacturer known for providing the products used on multiple Olympic games and other world-renowned events like the China Open, the Shanghai Masters, the U.S. Open from 1978 to 2019 and the Australian Open from 1988 to 2018. As for CourTex Construction they have 16 years of experience constructing everything from tennis and pickleball courts to basketball and multi-game spaces across Texas and beyond.  

This special live event will feature experts from both companies in a conversation about the growing sport surface niche, the unique demands of athletic coatings and the importance of strong contractor-manufacturer relationships. Further, the CourTex team will also share about how they are wrapping up their three-day install and why California Sports Surfaces’ CoolTop® coating was the perfect product for this project.  

Closing the event will be a discussion about how each project phase, from product selection to final inspections, affects texture, playability and long-term performance.  

Make sure to tune in on July 30, 2026 at 9 a.m. PT (12 p.m. ET) for this special, live CoatingsTalk!

By Emma Peterson. 

California Sports Surfaces expands design freedom with custom Pantone and RAL color matching. 

Sports facilities are faced with a unique surfacing challenge – get the best performance possible while creating the right atmosphere for the game. Color choice plays a huge role in both. Whether its tennis clubs, basketball courts, pickleball centers or multi-sport complexes, color can change both the visibility of the ball and brand identity of the facility. 

To help facility owners and managers balance the need for high-performance surfaces that look the part, California Sports Surfaces is now offering a custom color matching program! This program uses precision tinting to recreate both Pantone and RAL colors.  

Surfaces included within the color match program:  

• DecoTurf®: This iconic low-maintenance tennis court surface was the official surface of the U.S. Open from 1978-2019. Also found on Olympic and NCAA courts, this state-of-the-art surface ensures safe, comfortable game play. And with the color matching program, you can get that reliable performance in any color you want!  
• Plexipave: From tennis and netball courts to multi-purpose sports, Plexipave has established itself as a leading athletic surface. From 2008-2019, it was the product of choice for the Australian Open and has also been used at the BNP Paribas Open (among many other competitions). This versatile surface is even more adaptable now with the color matching program.  
• Rebound Ace®: Founded in 1977, this product has been a hit with everything from netball, badminton and volleyball to futsal, gymnastics and cricket. It has been seen on multiple global stages, such as the Davis Cup, ATP tournament and the 2014 Asian Games. And now this award-winning, multi-layered surface can be made in the color of your choice!  

Whether you’re looking to put your brand colors in the spotlight, create a signature shade for your facility or build a unique design that leaves an impression on players and viewers alike – It's possible with California Sports Surfaces’ new custom color matching program. 

Get in touch to discover custom colors for your next project!

By Dani Sheehan. 

With heightened durability, sport-specific color options and weather-ready chemistry, Street Ice® helps contractors deliver results that hold up season after season. 

As demand grows for reliable, low-maintenance sports surfaces, contractors need coatings they can trust to perform under pressure. California Sports Surfaces has recently introduced Street Ice®, a next-generation formula engineered specifically for the abrasion, speed and impact of inline and street play. 

Inline and street hockey surfaces take a beating from fast-moving skates, sharp turns, concentrated impact and constant directional changes. The newest formulation delivers: 

• 50% more abrasion resistance than previous versions 
• A smooth, consistent texture that supports puck control and predictable skate glide 
• High durability for aggressive, tournament-level play 
• A UV-resistant finish that maintains color and integrity in full sun 
• Mold and mildew resistance (ASTM D5590 certified) 
• Lower VOCs than previous formula to support compliance and safer installs 

This means improved longevity, reduced surface wear and higher customer satisfaction, especially for outdoor rinks where harsh weather and UV breakdown are common concerns. 

Engineered for outdoor conditions 

Colors that support the game: California Sports Surfaces engineered a set of five high-contrast shades tailored to inline hockey’s fast visual pace: 

• Better puck and ball visibility 
• Improved player awareness and reaction time 
• Better game definition for both indoor and outdoor play 

UV resistance: Sun, heat and weather exposure can quickly degrade traditional acrylic coatings. Street Ice integrates high-performance acrylic resins that maintain surface integrity and vibrant color. 

Improved permeability: Trapped moisture is one of the biggest culprits behind blistering, bubbling and premature surface failure. Street Ice’s improved permeability helps the coating breathe from the ground up, minimizing these risks.  

Contractors can confidently specify Street Ice for: 

• Inline hockey rinks 
• Skate parks 
• Bocce Courts 
• Multi-use play courts 
• Shuffleboard courts 
• Both indoor and outdoor installations 

Its versatility and resilience make it an easy recommendation for community centers, municipalities, schools, rec districts and private facilities upgrading or building new surfaces.

By Dani Sheehan. 

Don’t miss your chance for education, innovation and industry insights at this year’s ASBA Technical Meeting! 

Contractors heading to the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA) Technical Meeting, December 2–5, 2025, in San Antonio, will find one of the most valuable technical and networking events in the sports surfacing world — and CoatingsCoffeeShop® will be right in the middle of the action. We’ll be live streaming from the California Sport Surfaces booths (#206 and #208) throughout the week, bringing conversations about innovation, materials and best practices straight to your devices. 

With more than 1,400 industry professionals, the ASBA Technical Meeting is where builders, designers, manufacturers and decision-makers come together to strengthen the future of sports facility construction. Whether you work on courts, tracks, fields or indoor surfaces, this event offers 36 education sessions packed with practical, technical takeaways you can apply immediately in the field. Certified Builders can also earn up to 12 continuing education points, making the event an important investment in your professional development. 

Additionally, contractors will find meaningful networking opportunities on the trade show floor. It’s an ideal place to connect with trusted partners like ICP Group, learn about new products and systems and explore solutions to help you deliver longer-lasting, better-performing surfaces for your projects. 

From meals and receptions to the always-popular Division Meetings, you can forge new connections and nurture existing relationships while actively impacting your work. These open discussions give you a direct voice in shaping industry guidelines and construction manuals. If you’ve ever wanted to influence standards or share field-level feedback, this is your chance. 

Whether you join us in person or tune in on the CCS YouTube channel, CoatingsCoffeeShop will be capturing the insights and innovations shaping the future of sport surface construction. Stop by booths #206 and #208 to say hello and stay connected to the conversations that matter. 

The leading sports surface technology provider has partnered with the elite coach and former world-ranked tennis pro to advocate for surfaces that elevate players’ performance.

California Sports Surfaces (CSS), a brand of ICP Group and the leading supplier of premium sports surfacing systems, has announced a new partnership with former Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) player and current elite coach Michael Russell to help bring strong, experienced professional perspective to CSS’s technological development of world-class sports surfaces.

Russell is currently the private coach of World No. 4 professional Taylor Fritz and was voted the 2024 ATP Coach of the Year. During his own playing career, Russell reached a career-high singles rating of ATP World No. 60. He brings invaluable credibility and insight from the professional tennis circuit, enhancing CSS’s player-first approach to delivering high-performance tennis surfaces for professionals worldwide.

“For me, court surface quality is paramount — it’s the foundation for both player safety and peak performance,” said Russell. “Having competed and coached on their premium systems for years, I know they are the industry leader. I look forward to working closely with the CSS team as a brand ambassador to help drive their next generation of innovations.”

“Throughout our history, California Sports Surfaces has prioritized player comfort, performance and safety,” said Caroline Field, APAC general manager and vice president, ICP Group. “Michael’s experience and keen understanding of what athletes need will help guide our continued innovation in surface technology, ensuring players can perform their best at every level.”

Recent innovations from CSS include CoolTop®, designed to reduce acrylic sports court surface temperature via optimal solar reflectivity, helping athletes stay cooler and play longer. Available in a wide range of colors specifically designed to maximize surface heat rejection while offering optimal aesthetics, CoolTop can be deployed wherever professionals play for uncompromising surface speed performance and long-term durability.

Through this new partnership, Russell’s coaching expertise and real-world experience on high-performance surfaces will inform and validate CSS’s focus on innovation, consistency and player well-being.

To learn more about California Sports Surfaces, visit www.CaliforniaSportsSurfaces.com. To learn more about ICP Group, visit www.ICPGroup.com.

About ICP

Innovative Chemical Products (ICP) Group is a leading specialty chemical manufacturer in North America and provides coatings, adhesives and sealants globally. With operations headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, and multiple manufacturing facilities around the world, ICP serves multiple end markets, including building materials, specialty construction and sports surfaces. ICP is privately held and manufactures products under several recognized specialty groups. For more information, visit www.ICPGroup.com.