The Rideau Canal Skateway opened for the season on Saturday, and an estimated 85,000 people braved the cold to skate, eat BeaverTails and enjoy the winter festivities, the National Capital Commission says.
After two years of limited, short seasons due to mild weather, the Skateway opened with a chill, and Bruce Devine, senior manager of facilities and programs at the NCC, said the ice exceeded expectations.
“It was an outstanding weekend. I was skating on Sunday to have a better feel of it, and the ice was in very, very nice condition,” he told Ottawa Compass. “People were smiling and enjoying their experience on skates…There were a bunch of little kids. It was fun, nice atmosphere.”
There was added enthusiasm after two years of sub-par conditions, Devine added. “I suspect people were anxious to just get on it and benefit from it from it while it lasts. That’s the impression I’m getting.”
Of the 7.8-kilometre length of the Canal, between Parliament and Carleton University, 7.4 kilometres are currently open, leaving just a short span downtown that is not yet ready for use.
The weather forecast also broadcasts “clear skies” — metaphorically speaking — for Winterlude, which kicks off on Jan. 31 and relies on cold temperatures to maintain the Canal, as well as ice-based activities like igloos and ice sculptures.
“People know that I’m a very optimistic person, but looking at the medium forecast range, [weather] looks very nice. In two days, the temperature is rising a bit, but as of next Sunday, it drops a lot,” he explains. “So it seems to be like that for weeks, which looks like we’re into a nice season.”
