RIDEAU CANAL – Thanks to this darn, deep cold snap, work on preparing the World’s Largest Outdoor Skating Rink is underway.

National Capital Commission (NCC) crews were out flooding the surface of the Rideau Canal for the first time this season yesterday (Dec. 19).

As temperatures got close to -30 C with the windchill this morning, and Environment Canada predicting it to stay under -10 C until Sunday, the time is right to begin thickening the skateway surface.

Last season, the canal opened to skaters for the first time on Dec. 30.

The NCC is is in a gambling mood challenging with residents who would like to have a guess at when they think the skateway could be opening to the public this season. Anyone who wants to have a guess can simply tweet at the NCC at their Twitter handle @NCC_Skateway. The NCC will then draw five names from the list of correct date-guessers and give out free Beavertails.

For up to the minute status updates on the skateway, click here.