Hi Dan, Another option that came to mind is maybe cutting it with an angle grinder?
I figure, it'll take some time to do it, but maybe coordinate it with your wife so she's at the park with the little baby, that way she won't have to deal with the noise because I'm guessing you haven't made your basement sound proof yet. Anyway, if you take it slow and easy, you should be able to cut right through that thing. True, it'll take some grinding wheels to do it, but I think it's possible to do it. Anyway, just a thought, after all, we pigs have to stick together. Smile. Victor