WINNIPEG – The end of Winnipeg’s bone-chilling cold snap arrived just in time for outdoor enthusiasts to strap on their skates and take a trip down the river.
The Forks officially opened the 1.5 km skating trail on the Assiniboine River Friday, from the Forks to the Osborne Street bridge. A smaller portion on the Red River could also be open as early as Saturday, and the skating trail could get longer as conditions permit. There are also 1.2 km of skating trails at the Arctic Glacier Winter Park at the Forks.
“Our crews are working long hours and overnight to expand and groom the Red River Mutual Trail,” Forks Chief Operating Officer Paul Jordan is quoted in a news release Friday.
The river skating trail this year is known as the Red River Mutual Trail. The two large hockey rinks at the Forks port are also open.
Warming huts will be installed on the river skating trail later this month: ten different designs, including one from the University of Manitoba, will be available for skaters to rest and escape the elements.
Officials are expecting big crowds Saturday, when temperatures are expected to be in the -5 degrees Celcius range: a far cry from the -20s over the last few weeks.
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