A section of Ottawa’s iconic Rideau Canal was reopened Sunday for the second time this winter, as slightly lower temperatures return to the federal capital.
The National Capital Commission (NCC) announced in a social media post that the ice rink would partially reopen near the Pretoria Bridge around noon on Sunday, with a warning that ice conditions could change. Only the section between the Banks and the Pretoria Bridge was able to accommodate skaters and… Walkers, from midday.
“Although the ice will be thick enough to move around safely once the rink opens at noon, the ice conditions will be very difficult. We recommend walking rather than skating,” the CCN indicated on the social network X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday morning.
The authorities announced that the ice rink would be closed from 6 p.m. on Sunday “in order to carry out intensive maintenance of the ice”. An update is expected to be released on Sunday.
The Rideau Canal skating rink was closed due to high temperatures just four days after it opened on January 24.
Many people in the federal capital were relieved to find that the canal ice was thick enough for skating this season, after the rink remained closed all last winter for the first time in its history.
Skaters who have already visited the canal this winter, however, said the ice was in poor condition.
An NCC spokesperson could not say whether other sections would be reopened by the end of the season. She said the focus was on the one currently in operation.
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