The National Capital Commission
Rideau Canal Skateway Confirmed as Largest Naturally Frozen Ice Rink in the World by Guinness World Records
Ottawa, Canada (ots/PRNewswire)
The National Capital Commission (NCC) today announced that the Rideau Canal Skateway has officially been designated the Guinness World Record holder for the largest naturally frozen ice rink. Mr. Marcel Beaudry, Chairman of the NCC, along with Mr. Stewart Newport of Guinness World Records celebrated this accomplishment in Ottawa, Canada.
The Rideau Canal Skateway, which is maintained by the NCC, received the Guinness World Record for its size, equal to 90 Olympic sized rinks or 165 621 m2.
"The confirmation by Guinness World Records that the Rideau Canal Skateway is the largest in the world is an important achievement for the NCC," said Mr. Beaudry. "For the past 35 seasons, the NCC has maintained with great pride a spectacular ice surface in the heart of Canada's Capital for skaters from Canada and around the world to enjoy."
The NCC and its partners celebrated winter in the middle of summer by recreating a small section of the Rideau Canal Skateway, which featured a 3 by 5 metre ice rink surrounded by snow and Christmas trees along the banks of the Rideau Canal waterway.
The NCC also unveiled large banners on its headquarters as well as on downtown bridges to announce the Guinness World Record. Special accommodation packages will be available for the 2005-2006 winter season for visitors who want to skate on the world's largest skating rink.
The 7.8-km Rideau Canal Skateway usually opens at the end of December and closes in early March. Each year, there are over one million visits to the Skateway.
For more information on the Rideau Canal Skateway, please contact the NCC at +1-(613)-239-5000 or at +1-800-465-1867 or visit the NCC's website at http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca./skateway .
Information:
A media fact sheet and downloadable photos of the Rideau Canal Skateway
are available at http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/recordskateway.
Betacam footage of the press conference and of the Skateway in winter
is also available.Contact:
Lucie Caron, NCC Media Relations +1-(613)-239-5662 (office),
+1-(613)-324-4975 (cellular)