Rideau Skating Rink, Indoor skating facility in Ottawa, Canada
The Rideau Skating Rink was a sports facility in Ottawa with an L-shaped design and two separate ice surfaces, one for skating and one for curling. The structure was supported by 42-foot-high (about 13 meters) arches spanning Theodore Street, with entrances located on both Theodore and Waller streets.
The facility opened its doors on February 1, 1889, and was formally inaugurated by Lord Stanley, establishing it as a pioneer in indoor ice sports. A windstorm damaged the roof during construction in November 1888, but repairs were completed before the official opening.
This venue hosted the first documented organized women's ice hockey game on March 8, 1889, marking a milestone in Canadian sports history. The event showed that ice hockey had become accessible to women players during that era.
Access to the facility was available through two separate entrances, making it convenient for visitors heading to different activities. The two ice surfaces were distinctly separated, allowing skaters and curlers to have their own dedicated spaces.
During construction in November 1888, a windstorm caused significant damage to the building, with the roof partially collapsing. Despite this setback, construction workers completed repairs quickly enough to meet the scheduled opening date.
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