Australasian Leisure Management
Jun 8, 2020

POPP outdoor Ping Pong tables contribute to Melbourne’s regenerative urban transformation

Outdoor ping pong hubs from POPP have been installed at community facilities and amenities including playgrounds, seating, fitness equipment, basketball courts, picnic and other recreation elements as part of Melbourne’s regenerative urban transformation.

Designed and manufactured in Perth, POPP outdoor ping pong tables are designed for parks, open spaces, retail and commercial precincts, schools, campuses and health and aged care facilities to encourage active recreation and combat a sedentary lifestyle.

The outdoor ping pong tables have even featured as part of the Victorian Government’s plan to remove 75 dangerous and congested level crossings across Melbourne by 2025 - the largest project of its kind in Victorian history.

Melbourne’s busiest rail line from Caulfield to Dandenong has undergone a regenerative urban transformation led by Aspect Studio and Cox Architecture. The Level Crossing Removal Project ambitiously sought to elevate the rail line removing nine level crossings and freeing up 22.5 hectares of open space below.

As a result of the elevations, five new ‘stations’ have created renewed village centres – three of which feature the POPP HERO outdoor ping pong tables. There are six HERO tables along the line at Carnegie, Noble Park and Clayton with each outdoor ping pong hub partnered with other community facilities and other amenities.

Sight specific colours and artwork on the six HERO outdoor ping pong tables were designed by the landscape architects, Aspect Studios to ensure a seamless fit for each individually designed location. Collectively, the tables have helped bring life, colour and many active, local community members into the new hubs.

POPP delivers a competition size table tennis table that meets the International Table Tennis Federation table specifications.

The POPP HERO table is fabricated from high grade steel and undergoes a comprehensive surface and paint treatment. The fully welded, one-piece table weighs approximately 700kg - there are no removable parts (including the securing footings, convenient racquet and ball holder and net).

The ICON table is fabricated from high grade steel and undergoes a comprehensive surface and powder coat treatment. The table weighs approximately 350kg, is welded and secured fastened and includes securing footings and a discreet racquet and ball holder. The ICON is delivered packed in a custom crate (7 pieces) and can be assembled in approximately one hour with two to three people.

Unlike concrete tables, POPP tables can be moved and relocated if landscaping, development or other applications so require it however POPP tables are not designed for regular relocations.

POPP tables can be installed on new or pre-existing surfaces - the general rule of thumb is that the surface must be flat, level and hard-formed.

New or pre-existing surfaces may be paving, concrete, asphalt, crushed granite, crushed limestone, compacted material and soft-fall or recycled rubber surfaces.

For more information on Melbourne's Level Crossing Removal Project go to https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project

To contact POPP, click here to view their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory. 

Images top and centre of POPP HERO tables in use, Melbourne Level Crossing Removal Project. Courtesy of ASPECT Studios, Peter Bennetts and Dianna Snape, Level Crossing Removal Project. Image above of POPP's ICON table installed in Felixstow Reserve, Adelaide. Courtesy of ASPECT Studios

Australasian Leisure Management Magazine
Subscribe to the Magazine Today

Published since 1997 - Australasian Leisure Management Magazine is your go-to resource for sports, recreation, and tourism. Enjoy exclusive insights, expert analysis, and the latest trends.

Mailed to you six times a year, for an annual subscription from just $99.

New Issue
Australasian Leisure Management
Online Newsletter

Get business and operations news for $12 a month - plus headlines emailed twice a week. Covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism, and venues.