Famed Rideau Canal Skateway to remain closed as warm weather persists

By The Canadian Press on February 16, 2023.

OTTAWA – The world’s largest skating rink in 2023 may have to rebrand itself as persistently warm winter weather continues to keep skaters away.

The National Capital Commission says the Rideau Canal Skateway still cannot open this week and fears are high it will not open this winter at all.

Above average temperatures mean current ice conditions are unsafe for skaters and it doesn’t look good for next week either.

The latest the Skateway has ever opened before was Feb. 2, back in 2002.

It has been turned into a skating rink every winter since 1970 and has grown to a 7.8 km stretch through downtown Ottawa.

Last year the canal skating season lasted 41 days, but the 2021 season was the shortest in over a decade being open for 29 days.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 16, 2023.

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