For the first time ever, the longest skating rink in the world won't be opening this winter in Ottawa, the nation's capital.
In the winter months for the past 52 years, Ottawa's famous Rideau Canal has served as a 7 point 8 km (4 point 8 mi) long outdoor skateway.
But this year's unusually mild winter has dashed expectations of having fun on the ice.
The canal cannot be made accessible to skaters, officials announced on Friday.
The latest ice tests reveal that the Rideau Canal Skateway is still unsafe for skating, according to a statement from Canada's National Capital Commission. "Despite all the efforts of our teams, and even with the colder temperatures of the last 24 hours," it added.
We are unable to open the Skateway for this season because more work is unlikely to produce a different outcome. We all share in the disappointment over this outcome. ".
The Commission further stated that it has evaluated and prepared for the effects of climate change on the Rideau Canal.
The statement read, "This year taught us a great deal about the effects of milder winters on the Skateway.
This January, Ottawa experienced average temperatures of around -5.2C (41.3F). Before the canal is safe, it needs to be between -10C and -20C for 10 to 14 days straight.
According to representatives from Environment Canada, this winter is the third warmest in Ottawa's history, which dates back to 1872.
Winter 1970–1971 saw the introduction of ice skating on the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Ottawa, the average number of skating days per year was 50.
But over time, the canal's opening day has been pushed back ever so slightly.
The canal used to open around the end of December prior to the 1995–1996 winter season. However, for the past 26 years, the canal has typically opened on January 10.
An event like the sold-out Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival, which invites international teams to race on a portion of the frozen Rideau Canal, had to be cancelled this year because of the mild winter for a city that enjoys the cold.
But the canal has also experienced some notable recent cold winters. The entire 7.8km of the was safely accessible on skates on opening day in 2022 for the first time in more than 20 years.
The Commission expressed optimism that it will be available to skaters again next season in a statement.
It read, "We are proud to operate and maintain the Rideau Canal Skateway, a legendary and well-loved attraction.". Next winter, we already look forward to hosting guests at the largest ice skating rink in the world.
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