The Rideau Canal Skateway – the world’s largest outdoor rink – has broken a record many residents are sure to be unhappy about.
The National Capital Commission announced late last night the canal is closing for good this season – marking the shortest season in its history – at just 18 skating days.
“This has been a short and unpredictable season due to frequent adverse weather conditions,” the NCC said in a statement posted to its website.
After officially opening for its 46th season on Jan. 23, the skateway was unable to stay open for any sustained period of time due to poor weather conditions. In total, the canal was closed 16 of the 34 days since opening in January.
Even when the skateway was open, skaters were only able to skate the full 7.8 kilometres a handful of times.
This year’s record-breaking 18 days shatters the previous shortest record of 26 days during the 2001/2002 skating season. It’s also very short lived compared to last year’s record-breaking long season of 59 skating days.
The NCC has urged the public to stay off the ice as staff as contractors work over the next few days to dismantle the infrastructure on the skateway.