News spread quickly that the construction of the ice hotel just outside Fairbanks Alaska at Chena Hot Springs Resort was being shut down by the State Fire Marshall. People have to find something humorous about having a Fire Marshall close down an ice hotel � headlines over the weekend in various newspapers read, �Cool Hotel in Hot Water� and "Construction Frozen on Ice Hotel." Well, this frozen asset isn�t about to be turned to snow rubble anytime soon according to those working on the project. Borrowing a quote from Mark Twain seems relevant at this point, �Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.� �We are still going forward full bore,� says owner Bernie Karl. �We are creating ice art, the largest sculpture in the state.� We are no longer allowed to build an ice hotel, so now we are sculpting the finest art creation in the known world.

World famous ice sculptor Steve Brice is still sculpting ice and snow with his team of ice carvers. The gargoyles, the jousting knights, and the twinkling ice chandeliers promise to awe audiences of all ages.

�The State Fire Marshall has tried to put a square peg in a round hole. What makes this artwork exciting is that it is new, different, and on the edge,� says Karl. Just because they don�t have a law allowing it doesn�t mean that it shouldn�t be allowed. It is a tourist attraction, something that will bring positive attention to our city and our state. Karl is confident that the ice sculpture will be finished by mid-December and says the carvings should be available for viewing in the next few weeks.

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Media Contact: Brenda Hewitt +1 (907) 488-1505 bhewitt@chenahotsprings.com