December 14, 2012
Safety Advisory
Do Not Venture on the Rideau Canal surface
Canada’s Capital Region – The National Capital Commission (NCC) wishes to remind the public that it is currently dangerous to venture onto the Rideau Canal’s surface.
Even if it looks like a layer of ice has formed on some parts of the surface of the Rideau Canal, it is dangerously thin. The water level underneath the ice surface varies from approximately 1 metre (3 feet) to 4.3 metres (14 feet) along the length of the Rideau Canal between downtown Ottawa and Dows Lake.
The Rideau Canal Skateway typically opens in the first half of January. The ice thickness must also measure at least 30 centimetres (12 inches) to accommodate the weight of the public on the Rideau Canal Skateway. Once the ice thickens, with sustained cold weather, the NCC will be working hard to open the World’s Largest Skating Rink as soon as possible.
The NCC urges everyone to keep personal safety in mind and asks pedestrians and skaters not to venture onto the Rideau Canal Skateway. Signs have been posted at Skateway access points to advise the public of the danger.
The NCC will officially launch the 43rd skating season on the World’s Largest Skating Rink once the ice conditions are safe and weather permits.
For more information about the Rideau Canal Skateway, please contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 613-239-5090 (TTY), 1-800-465-1867 (toll-free) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or visit the NCC’s website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca/skateway. Throughout the season, recorded information about skating conditions can be obtained by calling 613-239-5234.
Media Information:
Jean Wolff
NCC Media Relations
613-239-5703 (office)
613-797-0279 (cellular)