The Rideau Canal Skateway, which is a 7.8-kilometre long (5-mile) stretch of frozen water and is an iconic tourist place as well as a mode of transport in the capital city of Canada, is likely to remain closed for the first time since it was built in 1971. &nbsp;

Ottawa is seeing unusually warm weather as temperatures soared as high as 10ºC (50ºF) which led to occasional puddles and cracks above the patch of ice, which usually remains strong to handle around 20,000 skaters a day.

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“I’m devastated,” Barbara Hyde said, as she strolled along the canal’s sidewalk, where usually she would skate around 10 to 20 times in a normal season. “I can’t believe I’m not skating. It’s ridiculous,” she said.

The closure of the skating rink will deprive visitors and residents of a unique feature of one of the coldest capital cities in the world. The place not only brings tourism dollars during the Winterlude festival in February, but it is also a key part of the city’s fabric.

Ottawa Tourism’s spokesperson Jantine Van Kregten said, “As an Ottawan it’s sad; that’s the best word I can use. If you had asked me whether it was possible that we could go a winter without opening, I would not have believed it.”

With the closure of the frozen canal, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the organisers of the winter festival were forced to become creative. The ice dragon boat, the hockey matches and the annual curling were cancelled.

WATCH | WION Climate Tracker | How climate crisis is hurting our health?

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The Winterlude Triathlon, in which people usually skate, run for a combined 19 kilometres and cross-country ski switched their skis and snow shoes this year. Early in the festival, ice sculptures along Sparks Street were carved near Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office, however, they did not last long in the heat.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Rideau Canal Skateway, which is a 7.8-kilometre long (5-mile) stretch of frozen water and is an iconic tourist place as well as a mode of transport in the capital city of Canada, is likely to remain closed for the first time since it was built in 1971.

The Rideau Canal Skateway, which is a 7.8-kilometre long (5-mile) stretch of frozen water and is an iconic tourist place as well as a mode of transport in the capital city of Canada, is likely to remain closed for the first time since it was built in 1971. Ottawa is seeing unusually warm weather as temperatures soared as high as 10ºC (50ºF) which led to occasional puddles and cracks above the patch of ice, which usually remains strong to handle around 20,000 skaters a day. ALSO READ | Global rankings predict high risk to Indian states due to climate change “I’m devastated,” Barbara Hyde said, as she strolled along the canal’s sidewalk, where usually she would skate around 10 to 20 times in a normal season. “I can’t believe I’m not skating. It’s ridiculous,” she said. The closure of the skating rink will deprive visitors and residents of a unique feature of one of the coldest capital cities in the world. The place not only brings tourism dollars during the Winterlude festival in February, but it is also a key part of the city’s fabric. Ottawa Tourism’s spokesperson Jantine Van Kregten said, “As an Ottawan it’s sad; that’s the best word I can use. If you had asked me whether it was possible that we could go a winter without opening, I would not have believed it.” With the closure of the frozen canal, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the organisers of the winter festival were forced to become creative. The ice dragon boat, the hockey matches and the annual curling were cancelled. WATCH | WION Climate Tracker | How climate crisis is hurting our health? The Winterlude Triathlon, in which people usually skate, run for a combined 19 kilometres and cross-country ski switched their skis and snow shoes this year. Early in the festival, ice sculptures along Sparks Street were carved near Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office, however, they did not last long in the heat. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

For the first time in 52 years, world’s longest skating rink to close due to global warming

After struggling to control the spread of the deadly coronavirus in the country, the Dutch premier Mark Rutte has urged locals to exercise caution while heading out to skate.

Keeping in mind the social distancing and masks, Rutte has requested locals to avoid crowding the parks and skating rinks.

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He also asked locals to make sure they follow social distancing when skating. "Of course you can go skating with one person or some other people. But be careful and keep your distance," he said in his weekly press conference.

Rutte also requested people not to overwhelm the hospitals that are already struggling to provide resources to coronavirus patients.

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"And please don't fall and have to go to the hospital because it is already so busy there," he said.

The warning came as the country is bracing for several days of heavy snowfall with the temperature falling as low as minus 5 degrees Celsius (23 Fahrenheit), which may cause up to 20 centimetres (8 inches) of snow in some areas.

After struggling to control the spread of the deadly coronavirus in the country, the Dutch premier Mark Rutte has urged locals to exercise caution while heading out to skate.

After struggling to control the spread of the deadly coronavirus in the country, the Dutch premier Mark Rutte has urged locals to exercise caution while heading out to skate. Keeping in mind the social distancing and masks, Rutte has requested locals to avoid crowding the parks and skating rinks. Also read| Netherlands begins flight ban, first curfew since World War II He also asked locals to make sure they follow social distancing when skating. "Of course you can go skating with one person or some other people. But be careful and keep your distance," he said in his weekly press conference. Rutte also requested people not to overwhelm the hospitals that are already struggling to provide resources to coronavirus patients. Also read| Government in Netherlands resigns after benefit scandal "And please don't fall and have to go to the hospital because it is already so busy there," he said. The warning came as the country is bracing for several days of heavy snowfall with the temperature falling as low as minus 5 degrees Celsius (23 Fahrenheit), which may cause up to 20 centimetres (8 inches) of snow in some areas.

Please do not fall: Dutch PM warns skaters amid coronavirus pandemic

A skating rink owner in the Polish city of Szczecin believes he has found a way to keep his business open despite coronavirus restrictions - operate as a flower shop instead.

On thin ice? Poles get creative to skate round coronavirus rules

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