Ramsey Lake Skating Path in Sudbury not officially opened

WATCH: Ice skating on frozen Sudbury, Ont., lake Following a recent cold snap with temperatures reaching -20C with the windchill, people are venturing out to skate on frozen Ramsey Lake.

The recent cold weather snap in Greater Sudbury has people venturing out to skate on Ramsey Lake – though city officials are reminding the public that the skating path has not yet opened.

In an email to CTVNorthernOntario.ca, a City of Greater Sudbury spokesperson said as of Thursday ice in the areas of the lake where the city maintains the skating path were only 12 inches thick.

According to the city website, an ice-thickness of 18 to 24 inches is required to open the Ramsey Lake Skating Path.

"Once the ice reaches that 18 to 24 inch thickness, the contractor will start building the skating path with their larger equipment," they said.

"Right now they cannot get on to flood with the truck as there is not enough ice."

Depending on temperature and weather conditions, the city website indicates it takes approximately 2 to 3 weeks to prepare the skate path. Preparations include plowing, sweeping, shaving and flooding the ice surface.

Not stopping everyone

Pat Dubreuil lives on Kirkwood Drive, near Ramsey Lake. He told CTV News that his family and neighbours have ventured out onto the ice.

Dubreuil shared photos of his neighbour Ian and his son Henri on the lake near their home on Thursday.

Be cautious

Deputy fire chief Jesse Oshell told CTV News that he cannot "officially" endorse that the ice is safe – but given the extreme cold weather the city has had recently the ice for the most part is safe to walk and skate on.

Oshell said always check conditions before going out on the ice and just because you see a number of people already on the ice does not mean someone has properly checked the ice conditions.

"It's kind of deceiving," he said.

Oshell explained that you want the dark black ice to be clear because cloudy ice can be the most dangerous because it often thaws and freezes.

The deputy fire chief said once the Ramsey Lake Skate Path officially opens and is endorsed by the city that is usually good sign that things are good to go on the ice.

The path

The 1.5-kilometre long path extends from the Sudbury Canoe Club at the corner of Elizabeth Street and McNaughton Terrace, to the Northern Water Sports Centre, with an extension to Science North.

Once opened its hours of operation are Monday to Friday, from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 12 to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 12 to 6 p.m. The Ramsey Lake Skate Patrol is available for assistance during hours of operation.

"The skate path has historically opened anywhere from mid-January to early February, and closes in March when conditions are no longer safe or favourable," reads the city website.

According to the city, the path is for skating only – hockey, ringette and shinny are not permitted on the ice surface.

With files from CTVNorthernOntario.ca journalist Chelsea Papineau