Nearly all of Rideau Canal open for skating

Two weeks after the Rideau Canal first opened to skaters, all of Centretown's section of ice will be open.

The National Capital Commission said Thursday that the stretch from the Concord Rest Area on Waverley Street to the National Arts Centre would open Friday to skaters.

The 2.4-kilometre stretch between the Pretoria Bridge and the Bank Street Bridge opened Jan. 7, marking the opening of the 41st skating season along the canal.

It was soon followed by the opening of 3.4-kilometres of ice between the Bank Street Bridge and Dow's Lake, then extended to Waverly Street.

The NCC’s website says the last remaining stretch between Dow's Lake and the Hartwell Locks is still considered unsafe, as they must wait until the ice is at least one foot thick before it’s open for skaters.

Last year the skating season was interrupted due to warm temperatures, heavy rain and snow.