Kitchener-Waterloo·Photos

Check out these ice sculptures in downtown Kitchener

Richard Reinelt has been creating ice sculptures for over 30 years. He recently worked with the Downtown Kitchener BIA and created six ice sculptures that can be found at Vogelsang Green Park in downtown Kitchener.

Ice sculptures can be found at the corner of Duke and Queen streets

This ice sculpture of an owl is among six others that can be found on Vegelsang Green park in Downtown Kitchener. (Carmen Groleau/CBC)

The area of Duke and Queen streets in downtown Kitchener is now home to several ice sculptures, in Vogelsang Green Park.  

It's the work of sculptor Richard Reinelt, who recently worked with the Downtown Kitchener BIA for the project.

Throughout the month of February, he's been sculpting new designs and adding them to the park. There are now six in total: a deer, two polar bears, dogs, an angel and an owl.

Ice sculptor, Richarch Reinelt, says it takes him on average three hours to complete one sculpture. Through the Downtown Kitchener BIA, Reinelt created six designs for Vogelsang Green Park. (Carmen Groleau/CBC)

On average, Reinelt said it takes him three hours to complete one ice sculpture.

"It all depends on what I'm creating and the detail involved," Reinelt told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo. 

"But I've been doing this for over 35 years."

Ice sculptures

4 years ago
Duration 0:14
Ice sculptures can be found at the corner of Duke and Queen streets in Kitchener.

Reinelt said he started ice sculpting on the side after an interest in the craft was sparked by watching other sculptors and by videos online. 

Richard Reinelt has been creating ice sculptures for more than 30 years. He says COVID-19 has significantly impacted his work this winter season. (Carmen Groleau/CBC)

"I worked a job back then and did this for fun on the side," he said.

Now, the 62-year-old dedicates most of his time designing and sculpting at his studio, located beside his home just outside London. 

"I just walk out of the house and into the studio and away I go," he said.

Reinelt also created a separate design for TheMuseum's upcoming Rolling Stones exhibit, Unzipped. 

The sculptures will be at Vogelsang Green Park until the warmer weather melts them away.