Ferris wheel among ideas given a spin to update Winterlude

A ferris wheel with views of Parliament Hill was just one attraction considered by Winterlude organizers to make the winter festival less dependent on snow and ice.

Canadian Heritage has announceda few new additions to this year's event, which begins Friday, as it looks for ways to overcome theincreasingly unpredictable weather that's jeopardizing suchfestival mainstays as ice sculptures and skating on the Rideau Canal.

The new attractions includea Winter Pride event on Sparks Street from Feb. 6 to 10, and a powwow at the Canadian Museum of Historyon Sunday.

Several other ideas were floated, but ultimately put on ice, including wintry ferris wheel rides and a culinary program featuring afixed-price menu atlocal restaurants.

Still on the table?

The ideas were pitched in briefing materials obtained by CBC News. The department wouldn't say whether theideas are still on the table for future events.

"The document you refer to is an internal working document on the renewal of the Winterlude vision, which we shared with our partners while discussing and brainstorming ideas," said Canadian Heritage spokesperson Martine Rondeau. "We cannot confirm yet which activities will be implemented, or elaborate further on these proposals."

In an interview last month, a spokesperson said organizer want to make the event less dependent on the weather.

"As the number of days on the canal get shorter and shorter, and it's unpredictable ... we've had to look at other ways to make sure that we have predictable events," said Andrew Campbell, assistant deputy minister ofCanadian Heritage.

Industry excited

Steve Ball, director of the Ottawa-Gatineau Hotel Association, said Winterlude is vital for local businesses, and applauded the organizers for trying to adapt.

"This time of year it's our major event, and I actually applaud Heritage for being proactive in not having as much dependence on the canal for Winterlude as they have in the past," he said. "I think they're very clever to start to spread the activation of Winterlude off the canal and into other parts of the community."

Organizers are also aiming to makeWinterlude more attractive to a younger audience.

"Some characteristics need to be preserved, but the event needs to be modernized and some bold changes need to be made," according to an internal document.

Winterluderuns from Feb. 1 to Feb. 18.