Ottawa : the ice rink of the 150th officially open

Photo from the archives, Christopher Nardi

QMI agency

Thursday, December 7, 2017 12:00

UPDATE
Thursday, December 7, 2017 12:00

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OTTAWA – The skating rink of the Parliament has been officially inaugurated on Thursday morning in Ottawa.

The minister for Heritage, Mélanie Joly, proceeded with its opening in the company of several aboriginal leaders and the owner of the Ottawa Senators, Eugene Melnyk.

Built at a cost of $ 5.6 million, the ice at the 150th anniversary of Canada was initially intended to remain accessible for three weeks. The minister Joly announced in November that it would remain open until February 28.

She refused to disclose the projected costs of this extension.

Apart from the question of the price, the project has raised criticisms about the many prohibitions that surround it. It will be particularly impossible for the users to use sticks or hockey pucks on the ice, just as they will not be able to use their phones.

Access to the rink is free, but users must book. Several special activities are planned, such as a hockey tournament pee-wee.

Once closed, the installation will be dismantled and given to a community of the region.