Rideau Canal Skateway’s 46th season comes to an end

(Press release)

The Rideau Canal Skateway is officially closed for the season. This has been a short and unpredictable season due to frequent adverse weather conditions. The National Capital Commission (NCC) is glad the Skateway remained opened for two out of the three weekends of Winterlude, the Capital’s winter celebration.

UNSAFE ICE CONDITIONS—Adverse weather conditions have deteriorated the ice surface and, in some places, ice thickness. Water on the ice surface may hide serious hazards. The NCC urges the public to keep personal safety in mind and remain off the Skateway, as it is now closed. Respect the red flags, barricades and signs installed at Skateway access points. NCC staff and contractors will work over the next few days to dismantle the equipment and infrastructure used in Skateway operations.

THE SEASON—The 46th skating season on the world’s largest skating rink started on January 23, 2016 and lasted 34 days (18 skating days). With over 7,000 Twitter (@NCC_Skateway) and 46,600 Facebook followers of the Rideau Canal Skateway, social media was a popular way for the public to share their experiences, pictures and feedback. Be sure to follow us for the 2016–2017 season updates.

The Rideau Canal, a National Historic Site of Canada and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is owned by Parks Canada. The Skateway portion, close to downtown Ottawa, has been managed by the NCC during the winter months since the 1970–1971 season.

The 7.8-kilometre Rideau Canal Skateway welcomes, historically, an average of 19,000 visits every day that it is open.

The NCC proudly thanks the following sponsors for their support of the Rideau Canal Skateway: CIBC, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), Nokia, Enbridge, CF Rideau Centre, Goodlife Fitness, Giant Tiger, Pizza Pizza, Pepsi and CEECAM Corporation, and media sponsors Ottawa Citizen, LeDroit, Country 101, KISS FM, ÉNERGIE and Rouge fm.

For more information about the Rideau Canal Skateway, please contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 613-239-5090 (TTY), 1-800-465-1867 (toll-free) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), visit the NCC’s website at ncc-ccn.gc.ca/skateway, or follow us on Twitter @NCC_Skateway or Facebook.