1 million visits to Ottawa’s waterfront destinations, NCC says

People were out across the nation’s capital enjoying many waterfront places in the 2025 season, according to new numbers.

The National Capital Commission shared that its flagship waterfront sites, Kìwekì Point, NCC River House, the Dow’s Lake Recreational Dock and Westboro Beach, reached a combined one million visits between May 8 and Oct. 13.

The organization says that the “overwhelmingly positive” response showcases that there is interest and appreciation for the waterfront in Ottawa.

NCC and its partners have been renovating and redesigning many of the waterfront spaces in the last several years, like the NCC River House, Kìwekì Point and most recently, Westboro Beach Pavilion.

At the beginning of summer, the organization launched a new project opening a dock at Dow’s Lake, providing people with a new area to cool off. Unlike other beaches in the nation’s capital, this did not have lifeguards on site, and there was only a deep-water entry off the dock.

Designing these buildings comes with making them accessible to everyone in mind. That was the focus of Westboro Beach, which now hosts a year-round restaurant and seasonal cafe.

“The NCC is looking to introduce waterfront sauna offerings beginning with the NCC River House, replete with cold plunge for the brave,” the release reads.

But there’s more where that came from.

The NCC is building on the popularity of the sites and is looking to expand waterfront opportunities. One of those is the East Wharf Platform, which will bring shoreline seating to the Ottawa River Locks. A renovated multi-use path, protection to the shoreline and more signage and plants are expected.

The project began in mid-June.

“And last but certainly not least, we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors once again to the Rideau Canal Skateway,” the NCC said. “Preparations will begin soon for what we hope is a long season.”