Because slate is stable thermally and chemically inert; many laboratory tables are topped with slate flooring for restaurant ambiance. That those pretty hard to move, too, but they provide a rut for chemists and individuals that work with volatile chemicals to do the trick. It wouldn't do to accidentally drop hydrochloric acid on a wooden table top, within the it happened on a slate one it wouldn't matter.
Build your structure that isn't plywood and 2X4s. Then, cover using the stone veneer using mortar per manufacturer's desires. You'll love how easy an outdoor fireplace could be to combined. Place a hearth insert inside and burn some gel fuel. In order to a perfectly functional fireplace up and running within the few short hours from start to finish. Enjoy the scene together with your new pond behind that.
Now, build yourself a good outdoor fireplace right on your edge of your newly built pond. Greatest and most fun way create an outdoor fireplace is using plywood, 2X4s and a faux stone finish.