Rideau Canal re-opened to skaters after weeks of waiting

The National Capital Commission (NCC) says the skateway was flooded with people after it reopened on Monday.

Rideau Canal is open between Pretoria and Bank Street.

“Last night we swept, graded and flooded the ice. This morning’s cold is going to help firm everything up, and the Skateway will reopen at noon,” the NCC wrote on social media.

“Conditions are still variable, but we’ll keep working to improve the ice surface.”

Skaters were able to enjoy a portion of the skateway briefly on Sunday. It had been closed since the end of January. The NCC closed it again after warning the public of poor ice conditions for skating.

“Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy the Skateway today. We saw lots of smiles and sticky BeaverTail fingers. We will close the Skateway at 6 pm to do intensive ice maintenance, including flooding if conditions allow,” the NCC wrote on X.

The skating season typically runs from January to early March but has only been open for a total of five days so far.