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A. The Ice Palace built by BAC Local 1 MN/ND/SD members. B. Volunteers from Local 1 MN/ND/SD, from left, Richard Kentzelman, Kenneth Becklin, Kevin Otting, Emilio Garcia, Terry Wong, Matthew Gauder, and Rodrick Schmidt. C. Members of Local 1 MN/ND/SD took an active role in coordinating the placement of massive ice blocks. D. Members of Local 1 MN/ND/SD getting ready to lay ice blocks.
An Ice Palace Built for All to Enjoy, Thanks to Local 1 Minnesota/North Dakota/South Dakota Members Last winter, BAC Local 1 MN/ND/ SD members once again contributed to the construction of the Ice Palace, the crown jewel of the annual St. Paul Winter Carnival, a festival that visitors have come to partake in since 1886. The structure required more than 4,500 500-pound ice blocks from Green Lake in Spicer, MN. BAC Local 1 MN/ND/SD Field Representative Terry Wong said working on the ice palace offers
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BAC Journal
tradespeople a chance to “step outside their element.” The 500-pound blocks of ice aren’t always uniform. Their corners aren’t square. And they melt. “We’ve made up different tools over the years to scratch the blocks down and take off layers, either a sawmill or by hand to adjust that inch or half inch when you need it,” Brother Wong said. Volunteers of Local 1 MN/ ND/SD, including apprentices, journeyworkers, and retirees, built six ice towers, the shortest being 26 feet and the tallest being 69 feet. The crew finished the project on time for the festival. Thanks to all volunteers
who donated their time and skills to help build this magnificent palace for all to enjoy. These volunteers were Terry Wong, Brody Avery, Jim Baker, Kenneth Becklin, Jess Blazing, Ryan Buhr, Roger Buirge, Hugo Carranza, Sean Eckman, Rob Frahm, Frank Fundingland, Mike Ganz, Emilio Garcia, Matthew Gauder, Dave Helman, Richard Kentzelman, Mike Mages, Joe Nelson, Kevin Otting, Ruben Perez, Mitch Reins, Rich Riese, Rodrick Schmidt, Doug Schroeder, Bob Stienbring, Brody Peed, Eric Vik, Pao Vang, Joe Vanek and Nathan Willis. t