Lace up your skates! The ice is ready for the 46th Rideau Canal Skateway season

_ (via the NCC) _ The world’s largest skating rink is ready. The Rideau Canal Skateway is frozen just-right with a 3.8-kilometre section open from Somerset Street to the Bank Street Bridge. With a continued cold spell, the National Capital Commission’s (NCC) maintenance crews will be working around the clock to open the remainder of the Skateway.

“Nothing says winter in Canada’s Capital like skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage. “Thanks to our unique Canadian environment, we can all enjoy this iconic winter tradition, year after year!”

“Skating on the world’s largest skating rink has become a must-do winter activity for hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors to the Capital,” said Dr. Mark Kristmanson, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC. “The Skateway team is proud to carry forward this great Canadian winter tradition.”

“CIBC’s rich history goes back as long as Canada’s, so it’s a natural fit for us to support this favourite national winter pastime on the iconic Rideau Canal,” said Monique Giroux, Vice-President of Sponsorships and Strategic Partnerships at CIBC, presenting sponsor of the Rideau Canal Skateway. “We invite skaters to stop by our CIBC Rest Area at Fifth Avenue to warm up at the firepit and relax in Muskoka chairs.”

CIBC is the presenting sponsor of the Rideau Canal Skateway and an official sponsor of Winterlude , which runs from January 29 until February 15, 2016. _ (More about Skating in Ottawa.) _