The National Capital Commission officially closed the Rideau Canal Skateway for the rest of the season this afternoon due to unsafe skating conditions.
The wet, heavy snow that hit Ottawa earlier this week has weakened the ice, meaning it is “unrealistic to expect the ice to rebuild to safe conditions and to resume the skating season,” according to a notice on the NCC website.
This year’s skating season began on Jan.18, leaving the Skateway open for 38 days, including 26 days in a row throughout Winterlude.
Last year, the canal closed on Feb. 21 after only 28 days of skating, the shortest season in a decade.
According to the NCC, the popular winter attraction drew more than 835,000 visitors this season.