News release
October 17, 2025
National Capital Region — The National Capital Commission (NCC) is pleased to report that the 2025 season saw over one million visits to its flagship waterfront sites – Kìwekì Point, NCC River House, the Dow’s Lake Recreational Dock and Westboro Beach. The overwhelmingly positive public response is a clear indication of interest and appreciation for vibrant world-class destinations that showcase the National Capital Region’s rich natural beauty and cultural heritage.
In recent years, the NCC has introduced a range of unique experiences that create dynamic spaces for recreation and connection along the Capital’s shorelines: the NCC River House, which opened in 2023, followed this year by Kìwekì Point, the new Westboro Beach Pavilion, and the Dow’s Lake Recreational Dock. From May 8th to October 13th, 2025, these four sites saw just over one million visits.
More to look forward to in the future
Building on the popularity of these sites, the NCC is pursuing other new waterfront activation opportunities. From the East Wharf Platform, providing shoreline seating at the bottom of the Ottawa River Locks, to a new waterfront node as part of the Lady Grey rehabilitation wall project behind the Royal Canadian Mint, facilitating a new lookout site on the Gatineau shoreline, to exploring the feasibility of additional swimming dock opportunities for 2026.
The NCC is also growing its offerings as a winter capital. The new Westboro Beach pavilion just saw the opening last week of a four-season restaurant, to be accessible also by ski, given its location along the groomed Kìchì Sìbì Winter Trail. The NCC is looking to introduce waterfront sauna offerings beginning with the NCC River House, replete with cold plunge for the brave. And last but certainly not least, we're looking forward to welcoming visitors once again to the Rideau Canal Skateway. Preparations will begin soon for what we hope is a long season.
Quote
“The NCC is committed to creating vibrant and beautiful destinations that connect people with our capital’s shorelines and waterways. The overwhelmingly positive public response to our summer initiatives fuels our motivation and our imagination. We’re excited to continue our work to create new places in our nation’s capital where all Canadians can have fun, learn about our shared history, and enjoy our public spaces”.
— Tobi Nussbaum, CEO, National Capital Commission
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