Rideau Canal Skateway closing for the season on Sunday night
The National Capital Commission (NCC) has announced it is closing the Rideau Canal Skateway at 10 p.m. on Sunday night — and it's not coming back until next season.
The NCC made the announcement in a social media post on Sunday afternoon.
"Thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy the skateway, and a shout out to our concessions and hardworking crews who made the most of challenging weather conditions," the NCC said. "See you next winter!"
A short, challenging season
The skateway opened for a total of 10 days this year, making it the shortest season ever if you exclude last year where the skateway never opened at all.
Crews have been battling unpredictable weather over the past two months, which got in the way of longer operating windows Instead, the NCC was forced to open the skateway in short bursts lasting a few days at most.
On Friday, the NCC warned its latest reopening this weekend could prove "one last hurrah of skating for this season."
Warmer weather is expected to set in over the week, going as high as 14 C on Wednesday, according to Environment Canada.
People walking on a pathway watch crews flood the ice on the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa on Feb. 17, 2024. Challenging warmer forced the NCC to open the skateway in short bursts over the season, which ends on Sunday at 10 p.m. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)
