Plans for an interprovincial zip line between Ottawa and Gatineau, originally set to open this summer, have been suspended until spring 2021 amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The planned 1,400-foot-long tourist attraction, first announced last December and believed to be the first interprovincial crossing of its kind in the world, promised participants an “unparalleled” perspective of the Ottawa River.
But organizers announced Tuesday morning that, in light of “uncertainty surrounding the restrictions” related to the ongoing pandemic, the new zip line project will be put off until next year.
Dubbed “Interzip Rogers,” the multimillion-dollar project was a collaboration between Ottawa-based advertising agency Orkestra and Zibi, a mixed-use development under construction on Gatineau’s waterfront and on the Chaudière and Albert islands.
Rogers Communication is the title sponsor, while Skyline Ziplines, which operates zip lines in more than 20 countries, is building and operating the ride.
Construction has been disrupted during the pandemic, the organizers said in a statement, but work is scheduled to resume this summer according to public health guidelines.
Alex Van Dieren, Orkestra’s co-president, told Global News last year he expected construction costs to be between $1.2 million and $1.5 million.
Both Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and Gatineau Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin were supporters of the privately funded project when it was first announced, with the zip line representing the first time the neighbouring cities partnered together on a major tourism attraction.
Tourism in the National Capital Region has been hit hard by the novel coronavirus, with annual events such as Bluesfest and Canada Day celebrations forced to cancel amid bans on public gatherings.