The Rideau Canal Skateway

The pride of Canada’s Capital Region is the Rideau Canal, which stretches 202 kilometres from Ottawa to Kingston. It was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in June 2007. Each winter a portion of this historic waterway is transformed into the world’s largest skating rink. Crowds of skaters and outdoor enthusiasts from all over Canada and the world enjoy the 7.8 kilometre ice surface that winds through the heart of Ottawa. In 2005, Guinness World Records confirmed that the Rideau Canal Skateway (RCS) was indeed the “Largest Naturally Frozen Ice Rink in the World”.

The RCS celebrated its 46^th skating season in 2016, yet it is so much more than just a skating rink. You’ll find concession stands and other services including skate and sled rentals, shelters and rest areas. The Skatetrack also serves as centre stage for Winterlude, the Capital’s internationally renowned festival and North America’s greatest winter celebration.

The Rideau Canal is one of Canada's nine heritage canals and is owned by Parks Canada. The Skatetrack portion is managed by the NCC during the winter months. The Rideau Canal makes an important contribution year-round to the beauty and spirit of Canada's Capital Region.

The skating season may start between Christmas and New Year's Day, weather permitting. The opening of the Skateway is determined by weather and ice conditions. The NCC Ice Safety Committee (ISC) assesses the ice thickness before the official opening of the RCS. This Committee continuously monitors ice conditions throughout the skating season.

The following is provided for information purposes only. This information may or may not have an effect on the Contractor’s performance of the Work described in this RFP.

1. Every year in mid-October, Parks Canada drains the Rideau Canal by opening the sluice valves at the Ottawa Locks near the Fairmont Château Laurier Hotel. In just a few short days, vehicle-access ramps, skate shelters and other facilities are installed in the Canal before beams are placed at the locks and the water is raised to skating level. From then, until the time the surface freezes, maintenance crews are busy installing stairs, hooking up plumbing and electricity, and setting up an entire infrastructure before the opening of the season.
2. It takes several consecutive days and nights of cold weather to get an ice surface safe for skaters.
3. The NCC Ice Safety Committee experts assess the ice thickness before the official opening of the Skatetrack can be announced. The Committee regularly monitors ice conditions throughout the skating season.
4. The NCC uses a flag system to indicate whether the Skateway is open. The green flag means it is open, the red flag means the RCS is closed.
5. Approximately one thousand five hundred (1,500) Christmas trees are recovered by the NCC each year and used to delineate rest areas located on the RCS.
6. The Skatetrack features an array of services such as food concessions, skate and sleigh rentals, shelters and rest areas.
7. Every February, the RCS hosts many Winterlude activities.
8. Benches, signage and ‘wayfinding’ structures are also located at various locations on the RCS.

Winterlude

The NCC initiated Winterlude in 1979 as a celebration of Canadian winter traditions. The 38^th edition of Winterlude will take place in 2017. It has become one of Canada’s largest festivals, attracting up to 800,000 attendees in its 27^th edition held in February 2005. Winterlude is the annual winter rendezvous where Canadians and visitors discover, experience and celebrate winter and our northern heritage

General Operational Data

The following information should be considered when preparing the Proposal and delivering the services.

1. The segment of the Rideau Canal known as the Skatetrack runs 7.8 kilometres from downtown Ottawa, along Colonel By Drive to the Hartwell Locks, located near Carleton University.
2. The Pre-Operational (preparation) period for the RCS begins in December or January.
3. The average length of the season over the past five (5) seasons has been forty nine (49) days with an average of forty (40) days open to skating. A more detailed breakdown is provided in Appendix 11.
4. Maintenance crews perform much of the work at night, but are are also required to work during the day to keep the skating surface smooth and clear. Snow removal is ongoing, and the Skatetrack is flooded every night, weather permitting.

Term

The National Capital Commission (NCC) is proceeding with a request for proposal (RFP) for the provision of Snow Removal and Ice Maintenance Services for the Rideau Canal Skateway for a period of six (6) years from the date of award to June 30, 2022.