Hitting the Courts Outdoors: A Conversation with Rob Gibralter on Maspeth Squash's Steel Court

Here at Open Squash, we're always looking for innovative ways to grow the game and foster community. That's why we were thrilled to collaborate with Maspeth Squash for our women's outdoor squash event this summer. This unique venue, featuring the world's first seamless steel-walled outdoor squash court, is a testament to creativity and passion. We recently caught up with Robert Gibralter, co-creator of this incredible project, to hear the story behind the steel.

Robert Gibralter, an artist, and Jeff Anshlauer, the CEO and president of Maspeth Welding, a multi-generational industrial company in Queens, New York, share a 15-year history of playing squash together. Their initial, "truly crazy" idea involved putting a glass court on a barge and taking it to Eastern Long Island to play along the way. While that dream never materialized, it set the stage for something even more extraordinary.

From Art Project to Architectural Marvel

The steel court's origins are deeply rooted in creativity and a desire to bring innovation to the workplace. In 2018, as Robert was getting back into art, Jeff invited him to use the facility next to Maspeth Welding, which was undergoing demolition. Robert, acting as an artist in residence for about a year, began farming steel waste for art projects. It was during this time, and after repeatedly suggesting to Jeff that they build a court there, that an architecture student from CUNY proposed the groundbreaking idea: "Well, why don't you build a court here?". The concept was simple yet revolutionary: provide a convenient playing space for Jeff and his employees, saving them the commute to the University Club.

The court itself is a marvel of industrial design. It was built into a 1933 custom boiler plant that Jeff took over around 2017. The existing structure, 21 feet across, perfectly accommodated the court, requiring no new columns to support the walls. The walls are made of steel, specifically designed to oxidize and get stronger over time rather than rust and fall apart. Each wall consists of two pieces, seamlessly welded, creating a playing surface with no "out of bounds line" – if you hit the edge, "it's out, and you can tell". Even the floor was carefully designed, described by Robert as "like Goldilocks and the three bears" for its ideal, "sprung" bounciness. This ingenious design earned Maspeth Squash/Jacobschang Architecture a Metal Architecture Design Award, with judge Rand Elliott calling it "stunningly beautiful" and "a piece of art".

The Spirit of "Happy Squash"

Perhaps what truly sets the Maspeth Squash court apart is the unique atmosphere and the philosophy Robert calls "happy squash". It's a place where the surrounding nature plays a significant role: "Most of this is nature, honestly. If you really kind of say what's spectacular about it, it's just that sky, birds, planes, butterflies, changing light. Raccoons, we had some raccoons as well, living under the court for a while".

Even the sound of the tin is special. After a Boston Symphony member analyzed it, she sent a note confirming, "it's a C major, a very happy chord". This "happy chord" is also notably two inches higher than traditional pro courts, at 19 inches versus 17, which Robert refers to as "amateur level" and notes has led to "less disagreement on court". The nets surrounding the court also contribute to the positive vibe; if you hit the ball into them, "it pops it back happily," unlike traditional nets where you might "have to throw your racket to get it down".

This culture of conviviality extends to officiating. Robert explains their approach: "For five years now we basically said to the pros: work it out, you know you play with each other all the time. Every time we introduce a ref, it becomes theater." He finds that "it changes... there's another element, another player on the court". The result is a highly respectful environment, even in professional tournaments.

Bringing the Community and Pros Together

Since opening the court in June 2020 after the Covid shutdown, Maspeth Squash has grown exponentially. It's become a hub for thousands of people, from staff and friends to student groups from universities like Cornell and Columbia, and non-profits such as Squash Haven and StreetSquash. Robert is also working with the Squash and Education Alliance (SEA) to integrate outdoor steel courts into new facilities.

The court has hosted numerous events, including the Intsel Steel Pro Invitational Tournament for four years running. This summer alone, Maspeth Squash celebrated five years of outdoor squash with five professional tournaments:

• A 6K tournament for non-squash players, featuring professional hand, racquet, and paddle ballers.
• A Women's PSA 6K.
• A 6K qualifier for their premier event.
• A Men's PSA 6K.
• A 40K invitational tournament, dedicated to rewarding pros who have supported the court year after year.

Robert acknowledges the learning curve of working with the PSA, particularly regarding summer heat and match start times, but emphasizes their mutual success. He highlights how good compensation for players, such as the $6,000 first prize for the 40K tournament, "mutes the complaints a great deal". Nathan Lake famously used his prize money from an earlier tournament to buy his fiancé's engagement ring down in New York’s Diamond District.

An Open Invitation

True to its community spirit, the Maspeth Squash court is open to the public by appointment, operating on a "pay what you can" model, much like a museum. While a rate of "$75 an hour" is suggested, Robert states, "when kids come out they play free, when someone comes and they're really cheap, I don't care." Donations are accepted to help with food and court maintenance. They've even achieved a remarkable safety record: "zero injuries in five years. Zero injuries, not even a twisted ankle in five years".

Knock wood. 

Robert Gibralter and Maspeth Welding have not just built a squash court; they've cultivated a unique venue that blends art, industry, community, and the sheer joy of the game. It’s a testament to what's possible when you look beyond traditional boundaries.

If you're in the New York area, we encourage you to experience the "happy squash" at Maspeth Squash. And for all your welding needs, remember that Open Squash also utilized Maspeth Welding to help with our own construction! 

Thanks, Robert, for talking us through the outdoor court.