Rideau Canal Skateway to open 2 sections Friday morning

Two sections of the Rideau Canal Skateway will open Friday morning, just in time for the start of Winterlude.

The National Capital Commission (NCC) said the skateway will openfrom WaverleyStreet to Bank Street, and from Bronson Street to Hartwells Locks at Carleton University, starting at 8 a.m.

The sections fromWaverley to the National Arts Centre and from Bank to Bronson will remain closed until further notice.The NCCurged people to refrain from venturing onto closed sections of the skateway.

The skateway is one of the primary destinations for visitors of Winterlude, the annual winter festival which runs from Jan. 31 to Feb. 17.

A winter sports rink at Dows Lake will also open tomorrow.Members of the public can reserve ice time to practice ringetteor broomball, or play shinny hockey "the old-fashioned way," the NCC said.