Ice conditions not suitable for skating
The Rideau Canal Skateway, one of Ottawa’s most popular winter attractions, reopened on Sunday for a short period of time, but not for skating. The National Capital Commission (NCC) announced that a 2-kilometre section of the canal between the Pretoria Bridge and Bank Street was open for walking only, due to poor ice conditions. The NCC advised visitors to wear appropriate footwear and exercise caution on the uneven surface.
The skateway had been closed since Jan. 25, when mild weather melted the ice and made it unsafe for skating. The NCC had hoped to reopen the skateway for the final days of Winterlude, the annual winter festival that ended on Monday. However, an overnight snowfall on Saturday prevented the crews from flooding the ice and smoothing it out.
A rare opportunity to walk on the canal
Despite the disappointing news for skaters, some visitors took advantage of the rare opportunity to walk on the canal and enjoy the scenery. Many people wore masks and maintained physical distancing, as required by the NCC and public health authorities. Some even brought their dogs along for the stroll.
“I think it’s pretty cool to be able to walk on the canal. It’s a different perspective,” said one visitor, who had come with her family. “We usually skate on it, but this is fun too.”
Another visitor said he was glad to see the canal open, even if only for walking. “It’s nice to get out and do something different. It’s been a long winter with the pandemic and everything, so this is a nice change.”
Skateway to close again at 6 p.m.
The NCC announced that the skateway would close again at 6 p.m. on Sunday, only six hours after reopening. The NCC said it would continue to monitor the ice conditions and work to reopen the skateway for skating as soon as possible.
The Rideau Canal Skateway is the world’s largest outdoor skating rink, stretching 7.8 kilometres from downtown Ottawa to Dows Lake. It attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, both locals and tourists. The skateway is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the historic Rideau Canal system.
Last year, the skateway was closed for the entire winter season, for the first time in its 53-year history, due to warm weather. This year, the skateway opened on Jan. 21, but only for four days, before closing again.
