Yellowknife (Mar 17/04) - Vandals have destroyed the large dragon guarding the Snow King's castle, but they may soon find the joke is on them.

Hours of dedication went into the meticulous creation of the massive snow dragon, only to have vandals crush it beyond repair over two days last week.

"They climbed up on its neck, knocked the head off -- which weighs about 100 pounds -- destroyed the tail and then threw blue dye all over it," said co-sculptor Lars Pace.

"They vandalized it Thursday night and then came back again on Friday night," sculpting partner David Oystrek said.

"But the worst part is that they are taking away from the kids (who come specifically to see the dragon)," he said.

The dragon will not be restored.

But the Dragon's Curse, a form of the adage "what goes around comes around," may haunt those so willing to destroy that which was so enjoyable for children and adults to see during a visit to the Snow King on Great Slave Lake, Oystrek said.

"Destroying the positive energy of Sleigh the Ice Dragon will create a negative energy for them," he said.

Self-fulfilling curse

"It's a self-fulfilling curse and reflects on the character of those individuals."

Both Oystrek and Pace spent 13 long days in the cold creating the large white beast.

"The hardest part was to build it so it balanced on three of its legs," Oystrek said of the design.

What both men cannot understand, however, is why people would deliberately destroy the traditional cornerstone in the massive ice sculpture display.

And Oystrek said whether or not the large friendly beast will ever again grace the entrance of the Snow King palace largely depends on public response.

Had the sculptors charged for their work, Oystrek estimated the piece could cost anywhere between $3,500 and $5,000.

Yellowknife RCMP Sgt. Steve McVarnock said it is very disheartening to see vandals destroy something which "adds to the uniqueness of Yellowknife. "It is a mindless act of destruction," McVarnock said.

This isn't the only act of vandalism this year at the Snow King's palace. Part of a wall in the inner structure was recently destroyed and an ice window had to be replaced because of the destructive work of vandals.

McVarnock said such occurrences are another indication that the community as a whole must be its eyes and ears.

"We hope they will assist police in reporting such actions."