Rideau Canal Skateway will not open for start of Winterlude, NCC says
The Rideau Canal Skateway will not be open for the first weekend of Winterlude, the National Capital Commission says.
Mild January temperatures and heavy snow have kept the world's largest skateway closed for skating this winter.
While crews have resumed operations in an attempt to open the Rideau Canal Skateway for its 53rd season, an NCC spokesperson tells CTV News Ottawa the canal will not open in time for the first weekend of Winterlude on Friday.
“The colder temperatures expected this week and over the weekend are good news for the Rideau Canal Skateway,” the NCC said in a statement.
“While the Skateway will not be open for the first weekend of February, our teams are working relentlessly to safely open a section of the Skateway, flooding the ice surface every evening.“
The Rideau Canal Skateway is a popular draw for Winterlude and winter tourist activities in Ottawa.
If the Rideau Canal Skateway does open this winter, it would be the latest opening date in the history of the skateway. The latest opening date is Feb. 2, 2002.
The NCC is reminding people to stay off the Rideau Canal Skateway until it's open for skating.
"The ice is still unstable on many sections of the canal, so it’s important to remind the public not to not venture on it," the NCC said.
The opening date for the Rideau Canal Skateway has been getting later over the years.
In the canal's first 26 seasons, the median opening date was Dec. 27. In the 26 years since the 1995-96 season, the median opening date has been Jan. 10. Across all 52 skating seasons, the median opening date is Jan. 1.
Skaters at the nearby Rink of Dreams at Ottawa city hall said they are hoping the canal will open soon.
“Hopefully it will open soon,” said Sophia Reimer, lacing up for her first skate of the season.
“We were hoping it would be on the canal but sadly we're just here on this little patch of ice,” added her sister Leah.
“I actually had hope it was opening next week, but now I kind of lost that hope,” said Andrea Suarez.
Winterlude organizers point out that although the canal won't be open, there's still a full slate of activities for the winter festival's opening weekend.
“We have the Canadian Ice Carving Championships underway Friday,” said Winterlude spokesperson Melanie Brault. “They'll have 20 hours and 15 large blocks of ice. The theme is underwater creatures.”
This week's colder temperatures brings promise the canal will open this season. But for now, those hoping to hit the ice will have to find another alternative.
“I'm happy there's options but the canal is way better: less crowded, more fun, a more authentic experience,” said Leah.
With files from CTV News Ottawa's Ted Raymond and Jackie Perez
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
BREAKING London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.