SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A lot of campers had been enjoying the new floating dock installed at the Madeline Lake day use area this summer.

The Madeline Lake dock is seen here before it was stolen. The floating dock, measuring 20 feet by eight feet and valued at more than $4,000, went missing last week. - photo courtesy of Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment

But someone, it seems, liked the dock a little too much. It disappeared from the lake sometime last week, and the territorial government has no idea who could have stolen it.

"It would require a lot of work and a lot of effort to take it away," said Kevin Todd, regional superintendent for Industry, Tourism and Investment.

The dock is 20 feet long and eight feet wide, and consists of two pontoons with a plywood deck. The size of the structure, and the fact that it was anchored and chained to the ground, makes moving the dock a difficult task.

"There'd be traffic driving by and park officers every so often," said Todd. "But a lot of the time, there would be no one around."

The dock at Madeline Lake was installed along with another at Yellowknife River in early July. Todd estimated the cost of the docks at $4,000 or $5,000 each.

The design of the remaining dock is very similar, as are the chains holding it in place. But Todd said that there were no immediate plans to increase security measures.

"We're looking into (more security), but there's only so much you can do to make something secure," he said. "It's anchored down, it's difficult to (move).

"It's difficult to come up with something totally secure."

ITI is currently investigating the matter itself, though Todd said the department had spoken with the RCMP and would likely hand off the investigation this week. Although Todd said people had given positive feedback regarding the installation of the dock, very few people called to inquire after it went missing.

"Maybe they think we've moved it," he said with a laugh.

The chances of recovering the dock are slim, and the government will likely replace it for next season if it can't be found, Todd said.

"It's too bad, because people liked it. It was a nice feature to have."

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