Rideau Canal preparing for skate opening amid cold temperatures
Posted Jan 7, 2025 01:55:10 PM.
Last Updated Jan 7, 2025 03:55:36 PM.
As temperatures in the nation’s capital drop, the National Capital Commission (NCC) says it is using the frigid weather conditions to speed up preparations for the Rideau Canal Skateway.
“We took advantage over the weekend to flood the full length of the skateway, and we will continue to flood every evening to speed up ice formation,” wrote NCC in an email to CityNews.
Crews have been flooding the ice since Saturday evening, it added.
Before the canal is open, ice samples must reflect good quality clear ice that meets standards for safe public skating, explained the NCC. Ice conditions are monitored multiple times per day and the decision to open the skateway is made only when the ice is considered safe.
Trails around the nation’s capital
Additionally, the National Capital Commission is offering close to 100 kilometres of trails and pathways, groomed for everyone to enjoy throughout the winter months.
In partnership with the Urban Winter Trails Alliance and community volunteers, winter trails that are open to the public include:
- Kichi Sibi Winter Trail
- Ottawa West Winter Trail
- Britannia Winter Trail Association
- Rideau Winter Trail
- Ski Heritage East
- Orleans Ski Club
The Rideau Winter Trail has been expanded as a part of a pilot test run and crews have groomed the area, starting under the Bank Street bridge along the Rideau River to Vincent Massey Park.
The Rideau Winter Trail — located on NCC lands — stretches from Donald Street to Bank Street, alongside the Rideau River. The trail group is piloting this expansion through the area into Vincent Massey Park for the 2024-2025 season.
This expansion has been made possible with support of the city and NCC.
The group hopes to make this expansion permanent in future, they wrote on X.
“Experimentation with field trials, equipment access and testing, and the impact of street plows on nearby streets will be conducted this winter to see the feasibility of the expansion for future years,” said NCC.
