Rideau Canal Skateway to open Saturday morning

OTTAWA -- Sharpen your skates, Ottawa: the wait is over.

A section of the Rideau Canal Skateway is set to open at 8 a.m. Saturday, the National Capital Commission announced Friday afternoon.

The 2.3-kilometre section between the stairs near the Pretoria Bridge and the Bank Street stairs, including Patterson Creek.

This year's opening comes nearly three weeks later than the start of the last skating season, when the canal opened on Dec. 30.

An official opening ceremony is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at the Fifth Avenue rest area, near the Canal Ritz restaurant.

Yo, now we know! The green flag is going up TOMORROW, Saturday, Jan 18th at 8am on 2.3km between the Pretoria stairs and the Bank St. stairs!

Time to sharpen your skates, #Ottawa… the countdown is ON for our official opening! ⛸️�� #ottnews #IceIceDefinitely pic.twitter.com/AIs46pachj

— RideauCanalSkateway (@NCC_Skateway) January 17, 2020

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  A man skates with a stroller on the Rideau Canal Skateway on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015. The full 7.8-kilometre route opened on Thursday for the 45th skating season. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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  Bruce Driver (right), former NHL player for the New Jersey Devils, and his niece Hannah Driver, "shoot the duck" to entertain their friends as they skate along the Rideau Canal Skateway on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015. The full 7.8-kilometre route opened on Thursday for the 45th skating season. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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  A section of the Rideau Canal Skateway is set to open Saturday morning.