The unusually cold winter has taken a toll on the Rideau Canal, with fewer visitors taking to the ice this year than last.

The canal is getting an average of 17,000 people a day, down from a historic average of 20,000 a day, according to the National Capital Commission. In fact, last season saw an average of nearly 24,000 visitors a day.

“It went down a little bit,” said Bruce Devine, the Senior Manager of Facilities and Programs with the NCC.

“We noticed that skate rentals and food concessions have sold, they made a little less money.”

Jerry Welsh is one of the managers at Capital Skates on the Rideau Canal. He said business has been steady so far this season, but admitted that rentals are down for both skates and sleds.

“It’s been pretty steady, but because of the cold it has been, there have been fewer people,” he said. “But overall, the good weather we are having, is causing it to pick up.”

The weather is expected to warm-up, with temperatures hitting the zero mark within the next two weeks. It’s good news for skaters who are looking forward to a longer skating season and for businesses who depend on skaters and visitors.

“If you look at the last few years, the canal usually shuts about mid-March because it is too hot and the ice is too damaged,” Devine said.

Temperatures need to stay around -5 during the day and approximately -10 at night to keep the canal open, Devine said.

The canal has already been open for a record 51 consecutive days, beating the previous record of 46 days set during the 2003/2004 season. It’s also on track to beat the longest period of days open following Winterlude, 29, which was set during the 1988/1989 season. So far, the canal has been open for 13 days since the end of Winterlude.

“Hopefully we get another two or three weeks and can prolong the skating season,” said one Ottawa resident.

The latest closing on record is March 25th, 1972.