Winterlude skaters will enjoy a smoother trip down the canal thanks to a new ice-resurfacing machine.
Thanks to new locally developed ice improvement technology, the Rideau Canal appears smoother to many skaters.
The National Capital Commission added a new Zamboni-type machine to its maintenance regimen for the world’s largest outdoor skating rink and the investment has paid off.
The new machine, known as The Froster, sprays water onto the ice like a typical Zamboni but does not shave the ice, as was typical of the old technology. The introduction of the new Zamboni-type machine seems to have had a positive outcome, with many skaters on the canal claiming that the ice this year is of higher quality than previous years.
Justin Vossenberg became an avid skater when he moved to Ottawa four years ago and skates to Carleton University whenever he can.
“It’s got some rough patches and some really terrible spots," says Vossenberg, "especially north of Pretoria Bridge but I think it’s better than last year."
Paul Brownrigg finds the canal to be quite useful in the wintertime and enjoys the caliber of ice the canal provides.
“I skate to and from work,” he says “and the ice conditions are good this year.”
For students such as Vossenberg and workers such as Brownrigg, the canal becomes much more than a skating rink.
It becomes a transportation route to and from work, school and home, so to have a smooth surface is essential for them to ensure a timely arrival.
Leslie Stuart says he finds the canal to be an amazing outdoor skating experience, one that reminds him of his childhood.
“For an outdoor rink,” he says, “it is extremely well maintained. You can skate for long distances, you are not boxed in by a perimeter and for the most part, it is all smooth. Skating on the canal reminds me of when I was a kid skating on the bay near my house right after the first freeze. After a snowfall the smoothness would leave, which is not the case with the canal.”
The maintenance of the canal helps keep the ice in top condition all season long.
Even with the bitter cold, skaters are taking to the canal in packs. The frigid temperatures also help maintain the ice and keep the canal solid.
Tommy Chan found the canal was the best around the Glebe area, although he says he feels that overall the canal is in good shape.
“This year so far has been amazing,” he says, “because it froze really early on and it’s really smooth because of the new Zamboni they have.”