THE CONTENTIOUS BEGINNINGS

In celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, the Citizen is rolling out one fact each day for 150 days until July 1, highlighting the odd, the fascinating and the important bits of Ottawa history you might not know about. In the early 1970s, the Rideau Canal was regarded by some as an eyesore, and there was talk of paving it over in favour of an expressway. Instead, Doug Fullerton, newly-appointed chair of the National Capital Commission, proposed an ambitious fivemile skateway from Carleton University to Confederation Square. Critics complained it would be too expensive to operate — at least $50,000. To prove the feasibility of the skateway, Fullerton managed to freeze the entire canal from Dow’s Lake to the National Arts Centre in just seven days. Thousands showed for the opening weekend, and the Rideau Canal Skateway was born. Olivia Bowden