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Snow removal efforts underway at Ralph Wilson Stadium

Ashley Hirtzel
/
WBFO

People wielding shovels continue to remove snow from Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park. Roughly 150 people are working to rid the home of the Buffalo Bills of snow in preparation for Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns. They’ve been working hand-in-hand with snow removal crews since Sunday night.

People are being bused every 15 minutes from the McKinley Mall to Ralph Wilson Stadium to shovel. They’re being paid $10 an hour. Mark Queeno from Buffalo says he’s been shoveling for 18 hours. He says he’s happy to help.

“Years ago me and a friend of mine used to come here and do it every year, and he was in a car accident and couldn’t do it. So, not only as well as needing the money, it’s a special tribute to him to be able to come out and shovel. We always had a good time doing it,” said Queeno.

Thousands reached out over the week to assist in the effort. The stadium was covered in over 5 ft. of snow. Antonio Harrington from Buffalo says he’s a huge Bills fan so he decided to lend a hand.

Credit Ashley Hirtzel / WBFO
/
WBFO
People are being carted into the stadium by golf carts.

“It’s tragic to see the stadium like this and everything that happened out here. So, just whatever I can to help out. Hopefully bring some good luck to the team and make it to the playoffs. Just help out on our part so the players can do their job and bring us a win,” said Harrington.

Kevin Burns is the owner of Jani-King, the company in charge of cleaning the stadium. Burns says people were asked to bring their own shovels.

“Basically what we’re doing is clearing out sections at a time. We set up these shoots. We lubricate these shoots so the snow slides right down to the field. When it hits the field we have bobcats down there filling up these trucks. That’s all they’re doing is going back and forth dumping the snow,” said Burns.

The snow is moved to a back parking lot by dump truck. Burns says the warm temperatures could cut the snow removal blitz short. He says they could wrap up as early as Monday night.

Check out the snow removal effort: 

http://youtu.be/qfRq52zGWBc