NCC OPENS 7.4 KM OF THE RIDEAU CANAL SKATEWAY

As of this afternoon, skaters have access to almost the entire length of the Rideau Canal Skateway. The National Capital Commission (NCC) has opened 7.4 kilometres of the Skateway.
Ice tests were conducted along the entire length of the Rideau Canal Skateway. The NCC Ice Safety Committee deemed that the 7.4 kilometres of ice between the Hartwells’ Locks (including Dows Lake) through to the Laurier Bridge (downtown) is safe for skaters and is of sufficient quality. Skaters will be able to access the Skateway by using all the entrances along the opened section.
The only section that is closed is between the Laurier Bridge and the National Arts Centre area (Wellington / Rideau) due to loss of ice thickness. The NCC is working to open this section of the world’s largest skating rink as soon as ice conditions are safe and weather permits. Pedestrians and skaters are asked not to venture onto the closed section of the Skateway where ice is considered unsafe.
Managed by the NCC, the 7.8-kilometre Rideau Canal Skateway receives, on average, one million visits each year. The world-famous ice surface becomes one of the official sites for Canada’s winter celebration, Winterlude, which will take place from February 5 to 21, 2010.
For more information on Rideau Canal Skateway ice conditions, members of the public can call 613-239-5234 (24 hour recording) or visit www.canadascapital.gc.ca/skateway. For more information about winter activities in Canada's Capital Region, the public may contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867 or visit www.canadascapital.gc.ca/winter. TTY (text telephone for hearing impaired) is available at 613-239-5090 or toll-free at 1-866-661-3530.

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