Page 10 - Landscape-Issue151

PROJECT

One of four padel courts upgraded by Real Green

CLUB PADEL AT PIRATES

Real Green received a gold award at the 2025 SALI Awards of Excellence for their

upgrade of four padel courts at Club Padel Pirates in Greenside, Johannesburg. The
project was entered in the category of specialised Construction.

irates was one of the first sports clubs becomes more durable and resistant to opportunities for players to trip or injure
to install padel courts when the game damage, especially under heavy use. With themselves as they won’t encounter
Pbecame popular about four years fewer joins, the overall surface integrity raised or uneven areas where the turf has
ago. There are five courts in total, and Real is improved, meaning less risk of the been joined;
Green was appointed in September 2024 to turf lifting or fraying at the joins, often • the aesthetic appeal of a court with
upgrade four of these, where the artificial turf a problem in heavily trafficked areas. In minimal joins is beneficial in that it
had reached the end of its lifespan and new, addition, the turf fibres are UV stabilised, provides a visually cleaner and more
superior playing surfaces were required. meaning that the colour and texture professional appearance;
Jonty Kirkby, founder of Real Green, says remain intact over time, even under • the product has improved drainage
that Easigrass was “the natural choice” to re- intense exposure to sunlight; capacity and with fewer joins, water can
surface the four courts as its PT 5m kit offers • cost and time efficiency means that fewer flow more smoothly across the court’s
numerous benefits. These include: seams require less time for the installation surface without being interrupted by gaps
• a reduced number of joins and seams on process as less cutting and joining of the or seams. In addition to better drainage, it
the court surface due to the five metre rolls is required. This can reduce labour also enables quicker drying times after
wide rolls of artificial turf. This provides costs and shorten the time needed to rain;
a smooth playing area and a uniform get the courts ready for use. With fewer • longer term performance allows for a
surface, reducing the risk of uneven ball joins, the risk of damage or maintenance reduced chance of seam failure. Over time,
bounce or other inconsistencies that can requirements decreases, leading to lower joins can degrade or become damaged
occur at the joins. A seamless surface also upkeep costs over the long term; due to heavy foot traffic and weather
improves aesthetics as it looks cleaner, • the Easigrass PT 5m kit provides a conditions. With fewer joins, there is
more professional and has fewer visible smoother playing experience and more less chance of seam failure, thereby
lines between patches of turf; consistent ball behaviour. With fewer joins, maintaining the performance of the court
• enhanced durability, meaning less wear there is less chance of the ball behaving for longer periods;
at the seams. Joints in artificial grass can unpredictably as it crosses over seams; • by using larger rolls of turf, there is less
be weak points where wear and tear occur this provides a more consistent playing cutting and waste of material, contributing
over time. By using fewer seams, the court experience. Fewer seams also mean fewer to a more sustainable installation process;

8 Landscape SA • Issue 151 2025 Check us out www.salandscape.co.za