A line that started forming by 4:30 a.m. wound around the stadium grounds by the time shoveling began at 10 a.m., according to Packers facilities manager Todd Edlebeck.
Only 450 made it in to work, and nearly 800 more were turned away.
"We're sad to turn them away but 450 is about what we can handle," Edlebeck said.
It takes about four hours to shovel out the stadium bowl, and fans were paid $10 per hour for their work, a $2-per hour raise from years past.
"It's a great way to get some exercise and a few extra bucks," said Shawn Connelly of Green Bay, who came prepared with several layers of thick socks and sweatshirts to keep warm. "I love getting inside Lambeau Field. … It's a little chaotic at times, but you get in a groove after, what, three sections."
Hunter Hughes, a 16-year-old from Shawano, came with his dad to make some extra money and marveled at seeing Lambeau Field from the inside for the first time.
"It felt amazing. When I first saw the field, I thought it was going to be huge … I was like 'Well on TV it's really huge, but now it's little.'"
Edlebeck said 450 workers was the most they could manage given stadium equipment staffing and that the help from fans was crucial for cleaning out the stadium.
"The turnout is awesome. We couldn't do it without all the fans and all the people coming to shovel out," Edlebeck said.
Courtesy of USA Today
No comments:
Post a Comment