The iconic Rideau Canal Skateway has taken its first, cautious steps towards opening for the season, as crews began the critical ice-building process this week. The National Capital Commission (NCC) started flooding operations on Sunday, December 14th, marking the official start of the annual effort to create the world's largest skating rink.
Orange-Clad Crews Launch Icy Operations
Dressed in distinctive full-body orange snowsuits, NCC workers have been spotted along the historic canal, using pumps to spray jets of water onto the forming ice. The operation began in the section between the Patterson Creek Bridge in the Glebe and Bank Street near Lansdowne Park. The process involves drilling holes through the existing ice and pumping water from below the surface to layer and thicken it to a safe level.
This technique often leaves behind intricate, circular patterns on the white surface, a temporary artwork created by the intersecting sprays of water. The NCC has actively shared video clips of the work on the Skateway's social media accounts, while simultaneously warning the public to stay off the canal for their own safety.
A Race Against Rising Temperatures
While the recent cold snap provided an ideal start, the forecast threatens to slow progress. Valérie Dufour, senior manager of strategic communications for the NCC, acknowledged the challenge. "The recent consistently cold temperatures have provided an excellent start for ice-building operations," Dufour stated via email. "While milder temperatures are expected later this week, we hope for a minimal impact on ice formation."
Environment Canada forecasts for Ottawa predict temperatures could rise above freezing on Wednesday and Thursday, a reminder of the increasing climatic pressures on the winter tradition. The work continued on Monday, December 15th, expanding north of Patterson Creek to the rest area at Concord Street North.
A Storied History Under Threat
The Rideau Canal's transformation into a sanctioned public skating rink began in 1971, under the initiative of then-NCC chair Douglas Fullerton. Using hand shovels, a crew cleared a five-kilometre stretch from the National Arts Centre to Bronson Avenue, opening on December 18th of that year—one of the earliest starts on record.
Now frequently called the "largest" skating rink, it once held the title of "longest" until Winnipeg's Nestaweya River Trail claimed that distinction two decades ago. However, the Skateway's future is increasingly uncertain due to warming winters. The 2023 season was historically cancelled entirely, and recent years have seen shorter and more unpredictable skating windows, directly linking the fate of this beloved Ottawa institution to the broader patterns of climate change.
The exact opening date for the 2025-2026 season remains unknown, dependent entirely on the cooperation of the weather. The NCC's orange-clad crews are now in a race against time and temperature to prepare the ice, hoping to once again welcome skaters to the frozen heart of the capital.
