Rideau Canal Skateway closed for the season

The Rideau Canal Skatewaywill not reopen this season, the National Capital Commission (NCC) announced Thursday.

The news comes after the skateway was temporarily closed Monday night, due to warming weather conditions this week. Tuesday and Wednesday saw above-zero temperatures, and Environment Canada's forecast shows warmer days in the coming week.

"Along with three subsequent warmer days of weather, in addition to a snowstorm and warmer temperatures in the forecast for early next week, continued maintenance efforts would unfortunately not return the skateway to safe conditions," wrote the NCC in a news release, adding it is "saddened" by the closure.

The 51st season lasted 26 days, starting when a portion of the canal opened on Jan. 28.The full length of the skateway openedearly February.

"Winter is not yet over!" reads the statement, citing its 450 kilometres of trails still open for skiing, snowshoeing and tobogganing in the region.