Officials eye synthetic skating rink for Ottawa's ByWard Market

Officials are exploring the idea of building a synthetic ice skating rink in Ottawa's ByWard Market in a bid to enhance the area's appeal.

The project is still in the early planning stages, with no set timeline, but officials hope to have it in place in the next two to three years. The proposed rink, measuring 90-by-20 feet, would cost between $40,000 and $50,000.

The exact location of the rink has not been decided, but the pedestrian section of William Street is being considered. This is one of the market's busiest areas.

Rendering of what a synthetic rink could look like along the pedestrian section of William Street in Ottawa's ByWard Market. (Joey Lavergne/CTV News Ottawa)

The synthetic rink could also be used for longer periods than the Rideau Canal Skateway, which was closed in 2023 and opened for a short period in the winter of 2024.

Along with the rink, the ByWard Market District Authority is considering other initiatives to attract visitors to the historic area, including a new winter market.

Officials think offering more activities in the winter months will help make ByWard Market a popular spot for both locals and tourists throughout the year. 

The idea is sparking reactions among the community. Ottawa councillor, Stephanie Plante, says it is going to look "a bit like a curling rink, because it's going to be in the pedestrianized space on either William or Byward Market Square."

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Plante adds she suspects the ice rink "is going to be super popular, and it's going to be good momentum going into the 200th anniversary."

Owner of La Bottega in the ByWard Market, Pat Nicastro, said an ice-rink would have positive implications on the market. He says in the winter, "it's a little quieter."

"For the past few winters, we've had a lot of disappointed tourists. The canal is not always freezing over, and there's not a lot of skate days. So, to have more options of where people can come and skate since they're here anyways, I think that would be probably a good idea," added Owner of Tickled Pink, Jill Anguaya.

Christmas might feel more magical in the market, according to Braden Stang, a university student.

"That might change things when I go back home for Christmas in the wintertime, I might have to bring my skates and my stick for sure," Stang told CTV News Ottawa.