It’s no secret that precast concrete manufacturers are innovators. From solar roads to water cribs, fish ladders and beyond, the industry is well-known for its ability to provide solutions for nearly any conceivable project. Now, with the addition of one special product at Tremaine Park in Kitchener, Ontario, the industry can lay claim to yet another innovation.
The precast concrete table top awaits installation at Tremaine Park in Kitchener, Ontario. Photo courtesy of Unit Precast.
To further build a sense of community in Kitchener – and to have a little fun – Unit Precast of Breslau, Ontario, manufactured and installed a precast concrete ping-pong table in the park. Scott Robinson, director of Unit Precast, formulated the idea while performing research on glass fiber reinforced concrete for a new product line.
“I had been looking into some GFRC products and saw a really cool concrete ping-pong table,” he said. “After showing my wife Brooke, we both were determined to make this a reality for our neighborhood.”
So the two got to work. Brooke took the idea to a special city committee focused on improving neighborhoods through citizen-generated initiatives, where the plans were well-received. Scott then came up with a design and worked with city officials to ensure that the table would meet safety standards.
Workers operate a crane to install one of the precast ping-pong table’s legs. Photo courtesy of Unit Precast.
With the design settled, Unit Precast cast the pieces, which consisted of two legs and a table top. Thanks to its precast construction, the 1,800-pound table can withstand even the harshest Canadian weather. The steel net – engraved with “#lovemyhood” – also helps guarantee the longevity of the piece, along with a special anti-graffiti coating.
According to Robinson, working on the table meant Unit Precast had to experiment with new production processes. The company created custom forms and worked with different polishing techniques to get the look and performance of the table just right. Dave Schnider, Kitchener city councilor, was extremely pleased with the outcome.
“I think it’s a really good-looking design,” he said. “When you think of a concrete ping-pong table, I was thinking it was going to be really heavy-duty, like something out of ‘The Flintstones.’ Then comes this really beautiful, polished-looking ping-pong table.”
To further solidify the table’s role in bringing the community together, the net is engraved with “#lovemyhood.” Photo courtesy of Unit Precast.
Robinson is also pleased with the result, specifically because of the benefits the table brings to the neighborhood.
“We are thrilled with how the table has been received by the community and that it has been a busy feature of the park,” he said. “Our favorite part of the project has been seeing the table constantly in use.”
Robinson added that he is very appreciative of his production staff for rising to the challenge and exhibiting the eagerness and dedication necessary to work on something new.
Beautiful playground, I hope to see more kids playing table tennis there instead of playing with their phones. Cool table by the way.
Wow! Now thats a cool looking outdoor table right there. Wish there were more tables in the parks these days.
The best bit about this is ‘seeing the table constantly used’. Ping pong is such a great sport with multiple benefits for all ages. What a great project.
It’s great to see these outdoor neighborhood ping-pong tables being used so much. This was a great investment for the local community and more inclusive than a skate ramp!
Playing ping pong in outdoor is the great source of exercise and fun for every body in fresh air. Really I appreciate it.
Awesome looking table! I really like the steel net with the #lovemyhood – definitely a cool feature for the neighborhood!
That’s the first table I’ve seen where wind would be a factor. 🙂
It is fantastic to have a concrete ping pong table in a playground like this. I think nowhere we can see it again. A concrete ping pong table will be there for a longer time than any other kinds of tables.
Good Idea!
i love this article. The best bit about this is ‘seeing the table constantly used’. Ping pong is such a great sport with multiple benefits for all ages. What a great project.
More areas need this. I see kids playing on phones instead of enjoying a great game of ping pong. Great job on the project!
Interesting stuff , most especially that ping pong table.
I like the design and i don’t think i’ve seen a ping pong table made out of concrete.Wind certainly wouldn’t be a factor here.
It is good to have a concrete ping pong table in a playground like this. I think nowhere we can see it again.
This ping pong table will be there for a longer time than any other kinds of tables.
Good Idea!
Great chance for kids to become healthy, especially if somebody will coach them
i love this article Ping pong is such a great sport for everybody
Definitely it’s a cool project for community. It inspires people to do more sports.
Incredible! I love outdoors table tennis, but the wind can be a real pain sometimes. Regardless, it’s good to provide the opportunity to the community for a bit of table tennis action.
I wish we had something similar to this when I was a kiddo! Back then, all we had is my grand-aunt’s old tennis table which we had to cover from rain and snow. Certainly, it won’t be a problem with this one, ha.
Great chance to introduce kids to more healthy lifestyle!
Awesome playground, Table tennis is for everyone. it is an amazing sport that everyone should have the opportunity to take part in.
I like it
Easy access to everyone to play table tennis, that is cool
Thanks for sharing guys
i will also make this table in my garden
I read your article. I have benefited a lot from this article. This article is very informative.
There are a lot of interesting things here, especially that ping pong table.