40th Skating Season on the World’s Largest Skating Rink Comes to an End

March 2, 2010 · Filed Under Blog, Community

Canada’s Capital Region — The National Capital Commission (NCC) regrets to advise the public that the Rideau Canal Skateway is officially closed for the season. Heavy snowfall, rain and above seasonal temperatures over the last three days have weakened the ice to the point that it is unrealistic to expect the skating season to resume.

The 40th skating season on the world’s largest skating rink was launched on January 14 and lasted 41 days. Over that period, hundreds of thousands of people enjoyed 36 days of skating, including a beautiful stretch of 24 consecutive days with near ideal skating conditions on most of the Skateway.

UNSAFE ICE CONDITIONS — Recent weather conditions have weakened the ice to the point that the ice surface of the Skateway has become unsafe and unpredictable. The NCC urges skaters and pedestrians to keep personal safety in mind and remain off the Skateway. The NCC also asks that the public respects barricades and signs installed at access points.

Managed by the NCC since the 1970-1971 season, the 7.8-kilometre Rideau Canal Skateway holds the Guinness World Records™ for the “World’s Largest Naturally Frozen Ice Rink”. The world-famous ice surface is equal to more than 90 Olympic sized rinks or 165 621 m2, and is one of the official sites for Canada’s winter celebration, Winterlude.

For more information on activities offered in Canada’s Capital, please contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867, or visit the NCC’s website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca. TTY available at 613-239-5090 or toll-free at 1-866-661-3530.

The NCC would like to thank its official partner American Express® and its official sponsors Sun Life Financial and West Jet for their contribution to this year’s 40th season of skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway.

Media Information:

Jean Wolff
NCC Media Relations
613-239-5703 (office)
613-797-0279 (cellular)
jean.wolff@ncc-ccn.ca

Jasmine Leduc
NCC Media Relations
613-239-5410 (office)
613-608-3119 (cellular)
jasmine.leduc@ncc-ccn.ca

Tags: Canada's capital, National Capital Commission, NCC, Rideau Canal Skateway, unsafe ice conditions