Rideau Canal Skateway will not open for start of Winterlude, NCC says
CTV
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 Rideau Canal Skateway will not be open for the first weekend of Winterlude, the National Capital Commission says.
Mild January temperatures and heavy snow has 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.