Warm weather has backyard rink-maker waiting, working on rinkside bar instead

At this time of year, Justin Lachapelle's backyard is usually alive with the sound of blades on ice and frozen pucks banging off boards, but not this year.

The St-Lazare, Que., resident said his 20-metre by 10-metre hockey rink, complete with lights, boards and Montreal Canadiens crests at centre ice, is usually up and running by now.

However, with temperatures still above-zero — well above the steady -10 C to -15 C he needs to make ice — Lachapelle's had to turn his attention to other related projects.

"I've been working on the rinkside bar," he told CBC Montreal's Daybreak.

Never one for half-measures, the self-proclaimed Habs nut says the bar is built to mirror the legendary former home of the Montreal Canadiens: the Forum.

"I had to look at old pictures of the Forum on the internet to get all my dimensions and everything," he said.

Lachapelle is also working on Canadiens-themed bleachers, a podium and perfecting the dressing room.

He's keeping one eye on the temperature while he works.

"I'm ready, and I'm listening to the forecast and there's nothing until Dec. 30 this year," he said. "It's unbelievable."