:: rawblogXport ::

:: Friday, January 30, 2004 ::

2004 Ice Palace - Saint Paul Winter Carnival
(scroll top bar for construction photos link)

Live Webcam of the 2004 Ice Palace

Stillwater residents volunteer time and expertise to make ice palace a reality By CRAIG DIRKES
Builders had aimed to begin work on the palace on Dec. 10, but couldn’t begin harvesting ice until St. Paul’s Lake Phalen froze to a depth of 12 inches. That didn’t happen until Jan. 2.

The late-freeze setback forced electrical personnel to work in three-shift days right behind construction workers. But by working together, the problem was solved.

“The IBEW really pulled this project together,” Deeg said. “It’s a real brotherhood. It’s amazing to see how you can count on these guys.”

Behind schedule at noon on Monday, Deeg learned that electricians were needed to work through the night. “By 2:30 p.m., we had nine volunteers,” he said.

Ice Palace lights up St. Paul Workday Minnesota: Photos by Michael Kuchta

New Richmond volunteers help build Winter Carnival ice palace
New Richmond residents played a significant role in building the new St. Paul Winter Carnival ice palace. Candy Lund and Rob Ennis, both of whom are union carpenters who belong to Local 87 in St. Paul, worked on the project along with retired carpenter Ron Leier.

Lund decided to help out at the invitation of union officials who asked the members for help. They were responsible for cutting blocks of ice on Lake Phelan, transporting them to the construction site on Kellogg Boulevard and assembling the palace.

'I worked all day Thursday, (Jan. 22), just before the palace was supposed to open,' she said. 'We had to get it done, and it was cold!'

posted 7:28 PM :: reference link :: 0 comments ::

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