Spring Start
Week by Week
From winter to playable court — step-by-step guide for Konglungen. Goal: a playable court by end of May with good geometry and minimal clay migration through summer.
Preparation and Observation
Main focus: observation without major interventions
- Monitor thawing and frost heave
- Walk the court after rain / snow melt
- Mark major depressions, puddles and unevenness with cones or spray paint
- Remove winter debris — leaves, twigs, sand from plowing
- Check all lines after winter — damage, loose anchors, tension
Structural Work and Leveling
Priority: achieve correct slope and evenness with 0–3 mm structural material
- Fill depressions and settlements in layers (max 10–15 mm per layer)
- Water lightly — moist, not soaked
- Roll thoroughly
- Repeat until evenness is achieved
- Check cross-slope with straightedge — aim for 0.5–1% from centre outward
- Repair drainage points — clean ditches / sides if necessary
Main Surface and Completion
When court is stable and temperature stays above +8–10°C at night:
- Apply 0–2 mm surface material in 2–3 thin rounds (approx. 2–4 mm total)
- Spread thinly and evenly over entire court
- Water thoroughly after each round
- Roll lightly — let dry between rounds
- Line maintenance: adjust tension, replace damaged anchors, roll/stamp down to court level
- First brushing and line adjustment when surface has set
- Test play from approx. week 19–20 if weather has been good
- Inspect all lines — check for winter damage and wear
- Replace damaged anchors/plugs — ensure all attachment points are secure
- Adjust tension — not too tight (tears clay), not too loose (creates waves)
- Roll/stamp down — lines must be level with surface (critical for safety)
- Clean line edges — remove clay buildup along edges
Result: Minimal dust · good binding · lines flush with surface · durable court through summer
- Often 50–70% of the season's total clay is applied in spring
- Always keep 2–3 tons in buffer for unforeseen needs
- Line maintenance prevents unevenness and trip hazards all season
- Inform players about "soft start" the first weeks — court needs to settle
- Take photos before, during and after — valuable learning for next year
- Schedule line installation for late April or May when night temps consistently stay above +8°C
Summer Maintenance
Daily dragging, weekly rolling, monthly checks — the routines that keep the court excellent from May to September.
Autumn Closure
Winter preparation is where next spring is won or lost. Leveling, compaction, checklist and the closing work party.
Full Manual
Materials, geometry, delivery, green growth and bulk purchasing — everything in one place.