A Matter of "Inches" and  "Degrees"
Wednesday July 23, 2008 - IRONWOOD
The Pat O'Donnell Civic Center is currently is in need of extra space and in possession of one obsolete energy inefficient Ice Making Machine. Not the kind that makes ice cubes for your drinks but one that makes ice for a 17,000 square foot ice rink used by 300 Polar Bear hockey players and Ice Crystal figure skaters.  

The ice making equipment was originally purchased for the Center by then Board chairman Tom Lundin and Joe Davis. They  acquired the used equipment from a defunct ice arena operation in Traverse City. Mr. Lundin considered the acquisition of the equipment as the decisive factor to "go all out" on the arena construction program. Joe Davis, project coordinator, accompanied by Lundin negotiated a purchase agreement whereby machinery with a market price of well over $250,000 was acquired for $56,000.

At the time the equipment was purchased home heating furnaces were only 60% efficient and today modern units are 90% or more efficient. The same the applies to old ice making equipment as well. The old unit is driven by two three phase 100 H.P. electrical motors that drive to pumps larger than the average automobile engines.

The obsolete equipment hasn't been used for years and sits in a room taking up a great deal of space. Space that is needed more urgently for other uses.

Today,  Joe Newborn from White Pine along with Clint Newberry and Rod LePlant  of Ironwood took on the task of removing the enormous piece of equipment from the arena. A task as you will see that is far more difficult  than it first appears.

There's a saying that a picture is worth a thousand words so here it goes.
above - John Kasieta cuts the last of the wiring. John is on the Civic Center Board.
Joe looks over the job at 9:00 AM should be out of here by eleven!
Clint take the torch to what is believed to be the last obstacle in the way of removing the Blue Beast
City Commissioner and Civic Board Member Tom Laabs and Joe watch the cutting
Joe removes some more concrete blocks which will be replaced with new ones donated by Winger Concrete
Clint and Rod clear the amputated parts
First try at yanking it out of there
Rod watches as Joe changes angle of attack.. a matter of degrees. Get out that geometry book
There it goes the first few inches appear from the hole in the wall
There's the first of the two enormous pumps.   Less than inch of clearance.
Eleven o'clock and counting
A new angle and twenty eight more inches...
perhaps another angle and a few more degrees
Tom helps Joe cut some pipe to put under the frame
There we've got it.  Not so fast!
Clint has to cut some pieces from the machinery.
And yet another piece has to be removed! One o'clock and counting.
Free at last, free at last!
O.K. so now we only need to make a sharp right turn and a sharp left turn
Joe comes around to give a shove on the back side.
Say that wasn't two bad. Two o'clock and counting!
Almost there ... Just one more  sharp right turn.
Joe makes the turn and starts the final but dangerous last maneuvers. Not as simple as it looks folks!
Joe gives it one last shove . Hey how did get over there?
Joe, Clint and Rod tie her down for the Journey to White Pine.
Six hours and 136 photos later, the convoy finally heads out.
Three o'clock and no more counting.