SPiN, the new Toronto ping pong club we mentioned back in February, is inching closer to reality. Construction is well under way in the lower level space at 461 King St. West (the building is also home to the Firkin on King) and the hope is that doors will open sometime before the end of the summer.

The new club also has a web site and has begun signing up members. Membership currently costs $40 a month and includes discounts on table rentals, access to member-only tournaments and other benefits. Beyond that, rates have been pegged at $30 an hour for a table (cheaper during off-peak hours) - not as expensive as a night at the Ballroom but certainly a little steeper than a game of pool at the Rivoli.

Other details revealed last night at SPiN's pre-launch party include:

• The club is being designed by Toronto designers Emil Teleki and Jess Nakanishi with help from Todd Oldham.
• The 12,000 square foot space will feature 12 tables, Olympic quality flooring, two full bars, change rooms and a private court.
• The club will also house a restaurant serving pub grub like grilled cheese and sliders.

Perhaps the most surprising revelation, as told to me by local operating partner Ryan Fisher, is that the club aims to be a sort of anti-Ballroom....It strives to have fair prices (cheaper than their sister club in New York) and appeal more to locals rather than the typical demographic who descends on King West. In other words, don't expect any of the Uniq Lifestyle or Freed Developments-esque vibe that overrides this part of town.

Once it opens, SPiN will operate 7 days a week from 11am until midnight on Sunday and Monday and 11am until 2am Tuesday through Saturday.