Category Archives: California Sports Surfaces

CoolTop® Named the New Surface for the Main Championship Court, Delivering Cooler Play Under the Florida Sun

ANDOVER, Mass. – April 24, 2025 – California Sports Surfaces (CSS), a brand of ICP Group and the leading supplier of premium sports surfacing systems, has extended its long-standing partnership with the Minto US OPEN Pickleball Championships through 2029. As part of the renewed agreement, California Sports Surfaces will continue as the Official Court Surface of the Minto US OPEN Pickleball Championships, a designation that underscores the company’s commitment to supporting the growth and professionalism of the sport.

Since the inception of the US OPEN Pickleball Championships in 2016, California Sports Surfaces has played a pivotal role in delivering high-performance court surfaces for the event. In previous years, DecoTurf®, recognized globally for its durability and consistency, was the surface of choice for the tournament. For 2025 and beyond, that role will be taken over by CoolTop, a next-generation cool pigment technology designed to reduce surface temperatures on acrylic athletic courts through advanced solar reflectance, providing a cooler, more comfortable playing experience.

“CoolTop represents an evolution in court technology, offering the same reliable playability as our flagship systems but with a significant added benefit: heat reduction,” said Tom Magner, Director of Product Management, California Sports Surfaces. “In the Florida heat, that difference matters. Athletes will appreciate the cooler surface temperature.”

Held annually in East Naples, Florida, the Minto US OPEN Pickleball Championships is widely recognized as the premier event in pickleball, drawing thousands of athletes and fans from around the world. The ongoing collaboration between California Sports Surfaces and the US OPEN team ensures that the courts meet the highest standards of performance, safety, and innovation.

With this renewed partnership, California Sports Surfaces continues to lead the industry in providing cutting-edge solutions tailored to the unique demands of pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in the United States.

To learn more about CoolTop®, visit www.CaliforniaSportsSurfaces.com. To learn more about ICP Group, visit www.ICPGroup.com.

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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.

ICP is a portfolio company of Audax Private Equity.

 

In collaboration with Germany’s AV Syntec Europa, California Sports Surfaces Australia provides resources for its Rebound Ace® Synpave System to be installed for a community playground in the country.

ANDOVER, Mass. – October 9, 2024 – For California Sports Surfaces and its parent organization, ICP Group, making a positive community impact is a top priority. That is why the organization recently supported a playground resurfacing project in Senegal, using its Rebound Ace® range of products.

The project was a collaboration with AV Syntec, a German sports surfaces distribution partner of California Sports Surfaces Rebound Ace®, and several community partners. Rebound Ace® products were chosen for the surface of this project due to their superior UV resistance and longevity on hard courts in harsh climates.

The paved substrate was a difficult canvas to turn into a usable court. Rebound Ace® Sports & Rec was chosen as the basecoat for its superior adhesion qualities. This was followed with an acrylic filler coat to level out the playing surface and finished with Rebound Ace® Synpave as the topcoat, giving an aesthetically pleasing finish in the colors of Senegal as well as a fantastic surface to play on.

“This was an amazing project, and we jumped at the opportunity to participate,” said Caroline Field, Vice President and General Manager, Australia and Asia Pacific, California Sports Surfaces. “Our representatives who supplied and installed the Rebound Ace® system were able to witness the joy of the children using their new playground—and that’s the kind of impact we hope to have in communities around the world.”

California Sports Surfaces is a part of the ICP Group, a leading purveyor of high-performance building products for every part of residential and commercial construction and renovation. ICP is dedicated to elevating the construction industry with a complete suite of tools that help contractors complete jobs efficiently, effectively and professionally.

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

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About ICP

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.

ICP is a portfolio company of Audax Private Equity.

This extended agreement reaffirms their shared dedication to advancing the sport and enhancing the collegiate tennis experience across the United States.

ANDOVER, Mass. – October 9, 2024 – California Sports Surfaces (CSS) and the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) are delighted to announce the renewal of their longstanding partnership, extending their collaboration through August 31, 2027. This renewal not only marks the continuation of a successful relationship but also reaffirms both organizations’ commitment to excellence and innovation in college sports.

Dedication to Excellence

For close to two decades, CSS and the ITA have set the standard for quality and performance in collegiate tennis by providing advanced court surfaces designed for the highest level of play. As the exclusive “Official Court Surfacing Provider of the ITA,” CSS will continue to equip ITA-affiliated events and facilities with its premier surfaces, including DecoTurf®, Plexipave®, and CoolTop®. These products are globally recognized for their durability, safety, and performance, ensuring optimal playing conditions for student-athletes.

“We are immensely proud to extend our partnership with the ITA, a collaboration that has helped shape the landscape of collegiate tennis,” said Tom Magner, Director of Product Management for California Sports Surfaces. “This renewal not only celebrates our past achievements but also strengthens our commitment to innovation and excellence in the years to come.”

ITA Coaches Convention 2024

CSS is also pleased to announce its participation in the upcoming ITA Coaches Convention, to be held from November 15-17, 2024, in Dallas, Texas. This key event in collegiate tennis brings together coaches, administrators, and sports industry leaders to discuss the future of the sport and share the latest innovations. CSS will showcase their latest developments in court surface technology, such as the new CoolTop®, and engage with the community to further the growth and success of collegiate tennis.

Continued Innovation and Support

This renewed partnership underscores CSS’s ongoing commitment to supporting the ITA’s mission to foster excellence in collegiate tennis. By providing cutting-edge surfaces and engaging in collaborative initiatives, CSS and the ITA are dedicated to enhancing the student-athlete experience and advancing the sport at the collegiate level.

“We are delighted to announce the extension of our partnership with California Sports Surfaces (CSS). At the ITA, we are committed to collaborating with innovative companies that share our passion for tennis, particularly at the collegiate level. Our coaches have consistently praised CSS for their exceptional service and quality, and we are excited to continue this valuable relationship for many years ahead” – David Mullins, ITA CEO Designate

For additional information about the ITA and to learn more about the partnership between California Sports Surfaces and the ITA, please visit www.californiasportssurfaces.com or https://wearecollegetennis.com/ita/partners/california-sports-surfaces.

About the Intercollegiate Tennis Association

The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) is the governing body of college tennis and is committed to serving college tennis and returning the leaders of tomorrow while promoting both the athletic and academic achievements of the collegiate tennis community. The ITA, founded in 1956, is comprised of nearly 1,700 men’s and women’s varsity tennis teams representing over 1,250 institutions, administers numerous regional and national championships and the ITA College Tennis Rankings for nearly 20,000 college varsity student-athletes at NCAA Division I, II, and III; NAIA; and Junior College levels. The ITA also has a comprehensive awards program for players and coaches to honor excellence in academics, leadership, and sportsmanship. For more information on the ITA, visit wearecollegetennis.com and follow the ITA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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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.

ICP is a portfolio company of Audax Private Equity.