Update: Rideau Canal Skateway closed for maintenance after being open for just six hours

Update: Rideau Canal Skateway closed for maintenance after being open for just six hours

By mid-afternoon, the NCC revealed the Skateway would close once again at 6 p.m. for “extensive ice upkeep, consisting of flooding, if conditions enable.”

Released Feb 17, 2024Last upgraded 2 hours ago2 minute read

Doug Humphries who has actually been skating on the canal considering that the mid 80’s enjoyed to be able to go out for a skate Sunday, impressed by the quantity of work the teams had actually done to be able to get it open once again. Picture by Ashley Fraser/Postmedia

A minimum of it’s open.

It was a typical refrain heard Sunday afternoon as skaters, walkers and even strong runners braved snow, wind and doubtful ice conditions on the Rideau Canal Skateway.

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“It’s sort of like skating over a small range of mountains,” stated Kate Jordan, an experienced skater who gets on her blades every day. “It’s certainly the worst conditions I’ve ever seen on the canal.”

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Jordan stated she’s enthusiastic a projection of winter will enhance ice conditions.

For the 2nd time this year, the National Capital Commission opened a 1.9-kilometre stretch of ice in between Bank Street and the Pretoria Bridge at 12 p.m. on Sunday, with the caution that ice conditions were better for strolling, not skating. By mid-afternoon, the NCC revealed the Skateway would close once again at 6 p.m. for “extensive ice upkeep, consisting of flooding, if conditions enable.”

“We intend to enhance ice conditions for tomorrow and will offer an upgrade in the early morning,” the NCC stated.

The Rideau Canal resumed for skaters Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. The Rideau Canal Skateway published on social networks Sunday early morning that due to the over night snow flooding might not happen, leading to extremely bad skating conditions for the resuming. Picture by Ashley Fraser/Postmedia

Teams had actually flooded that stretch of the Skateway on Friday and Saturday, wanting to prepare the ice for the last days of Winterlude.

Teams working to canal prepared. Picture by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia

On Sunday early morning, the NCC stated over night snowfall avoided teams from flooding the canal over night. The ice is thick enough to be safe, however the ice remains in “extremely bad condition,” the commission stated.

In the meantime, however, individuals reconciled the sub-optimal ice conditions on Sunday afternoon. Skaters and walkers browsed over rough, craggy spots.

A representative for Ottawa paramedics stated they got a call about a senior guy who had actually slipped on the ice around 12:30 p.m. The guy was required to medical facility, however information of his condition were not understood.

Fernando Romero aspired to strike the Skateway once again, even if he did take a tumble on some rough spots. Fortunately, he was using a helmet.

“I will constantly skate on the canal,” he stated. “It’s a really unique location.”

Christine and Michael Malouf chose to stroll on the canal, selecting their method throughout the snow-covered ice. They had actually brought along their skates, however believed much better of it after experiencing some amazing falls.

“I’m simply delighted it’s here,” Michael Malouf stated. “I’m delighted to be strolling on the canal. It’s simply gorgeous.”

Jeff and Julia Weir make the journey from London, Ont., to Ottawa each weekend to go to a relative in the health center. They often load their skates, however left them in your home this time. Next weekend, however, they’ll be all set.

“The canal is something that brings us a great deal of happiness,” Jeff Weir stated.

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⚠ Update|Thanks to everybody who came out to take pleasure in the Skateway today. We saw great deals of smiles and sticky @BeaverTails fingers.

We will close the Skateway at 6 pm to do extensive ice upkeep, consisting of flooding if conditions enable. #ottnews pic.twitter.com/oJkEmGeDwk

— Rideau Canal Skateway (@NCC_Skateway) February 18, 2024

The Skateway had a quick four-day operation in January, however authorities were required to shut it down due to moderate weather condition and freezing rain.

The Rideau Canal resumed for skaters Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. The Rideau Canal Skateway published on social networks Sunday early morning that due to the over night snow flooding might not happen, leading to extremely bad skating conditions for the resuming. Picture by Ashley Fraser/Postmedia

The Skateway did not open at all last winter season, marking the very first time among Ottawa’s premier winter season tourist attractions had actually gone unused through a whole season considering that it was very first opened more than a half-century earlier.

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