December 21, 2024
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Plainfield man builds igloo in front yard for the 5th time

‘As a kid, I used to make them with my dad and my sister’

By Denise M. Baran-Unland
For the last five years, Lee Peters of Plainfield has built an igloo in the yard of his home. He used to build them with his father and sister when growing up and wanted to pass the skill to his own children.

For the last five years, Lee Peters of Plainfield has built an igloo in the yard of his home. He used to build them with his father and sister when growing up and wanted to pass the skill to his own children. (Photo provided)

Lee Peters of Plainfield spent time with his sons Wednesday night playing video games and watching movies – in their igloo on the front lawn.

Peters, who works in the home-construction and remodeling trade, has built an igloo every year for the past five years, he said.

For the last five years, Lee Peters of Plainfield has built an igloo in the yard of his home. He used to build them with his father and sister when growing up and wanted to pass the skill to his own children.

For the last five years, Lee Peters of Plainfield has built an igloo in the yard of his home. He used to build them with his father and sister when growing up and wanted to pass the skill to his own children. (Denise Unland)

“As a kid, I used to make them with my dad and my sister,” Peters said. “As I got older, I wanted to teach my kids.”

Peters’ 2022 model is 15 feet around and 12 feet tall and took about 50 hours to build, Peters said. His sons, Tyler Peters, 21, and Cole Peters, 13, like to hang out in the igloo with the family’s dogs, Gizmo and Bear.

For the last five years, Lee Peters of Plainfield has built an igloo in the yard of his home. He used to build them with his father and sister when growing up and wanted to pass the skill to his own children. Lee's sons Tyler Peters, 21, and Cole Peters, 13, like to hang out in the igloo with the family’s dogs Gizmo and Bear.

For the last five years, Lee Peters of Plainfield has built an igloo in the yard of his home. He used to build them with his father and sister when growing up and wanted to pass the skill to his own children. Lee's sons Tyler Peters, 21, and Cole Peters, 13, like to hang out in the igloo with the family’s dogs Gizmo and Bear. (Photo provided)

Lee and the boys even bring an air mattress into the igloo and spend the night. Yes, it’s warm inside, especially when Lee blocks the entrance with a board and a blanket, he said.

“I think one year it got really, really cold and they went inside,” Lee said.

For the last five years, Lee Peters of Plainfield has built an igloo in the yard of his home. He used to build them with his father and sister when growing up and wanted to pass the skill to his own children.

For the last five years, Lee Peters of Plainfield has built an igloo in the yard of his home. He used to build them with his father and sister when growing up and wanted to pass the skill to his own children. (Photo provided)

When Lee first started making the igloos, he used to just pile up the snow. Now he uses wood forms to help construct them, which quickens the process, he said.

But Lee still must make certain the igloo has the right amount of thickness to support the roof and that the roof is not too thin.

“You really have to poke around and check that you’re not digging out too much on one side,” Lee said. “And if you have any doubt at all that it’s not strong enough, then just don’t do it; start over.”

For the last five years, Lee Peters of Plainfield has built an igloo in the yard of his home. He used to build them with his father and sister when growing up and wanted to pass the skill to his own children.

For the last five years, Lee Peters of Plainfield has built an igloo in the yard of his home. He used to build them with his father and sister when growing up and wanted to pass the skill to his own children. (Denise Unland)

As the temperature outside warms, the igloo will melt and the entrance could “come down a few inches,” Lee said.

At what temperature does the igloo become unstable? When the air temperature reaches about 32 degrees, Lee said. At that point, Lee takes it down.

For the last five years, Lee Peters of Plainfield has built an igloo in the yard of his home. He used to build them with his father and sister when growing up and wanted to pass the skill to his own children.

For the last five years, Lee Peters of Plainfield has built an igloo in the yard of his home. He used to build them with his father and sister when growing up and wanted to pass the skill to his own children. (Photo provided)

But building an igloo also comes with a good life lesson.

“If you want to build something, put hard work into it and you can do anything,” Lee said.

For the last five years, Lee Peters of Plainfield has built an igloo in the yard of his home. He used to build them with his father and sister when growing up and wanted to pass the skill to his own children.

For the last five years, Lee Peters of Plainfield has built an igloo in the yard of his home. He used to build them with his father and sister when growing up and wanted to pass the skill to his own children. (Photo provided)


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