Suzy Maidment said she came from New York City with her skates in the hopes of skating on the canal this weekend. CBC

All three Winterlude sites are now closed to visitors after the National Capital Commission closed Confederation Park, home to the ice garden.

NCC officials said warmer temperatures have led to deteriorating conditions at the Rogers Crystal Garden and could pose a safety risk to visitors.

Warm weather has already forced the NCC to turn away visitors to the Snowflake Kingdom in Jacques Cartier Park and the Rideau Canal Skateway.

The NCC said it plans to do overnight work to both the Rogers Crystal Garden and the Snowflake Kingdom in the hopes of reopening them Saturday morning.

"So we're hoping for a little bit more colder weather but we have our staff who are working on each of the official sites so if weather permitting, we will open as soon as possible," said Charles Cardinal, a spokesman with the NCC.

The Snowflake Kingdom is expected to be at least partially open for a Canadian Forces obstacle course.

The closures come as thousands of tourists were expected to arrive for the final weekend of Winterlude, which wraps up on Monday.

Australian Suzy Maidment has been living in New York for the past six months and came up for the weekend for Winterlude. Maidment, who lived in Ottawa over a decade ago, said it was disappointing Friday to be turned away from the venues.

"I really wanted to skate on the canal, and also take photos of people on the canal because it's just so beautiful, and in the evening with hot chocolate and beaver tails and all that," said Maidment.

"I had a quick look at the ice sculptures and they are all half-melted," she said. "I'm sure some people are enjoying the warm weather but I came here for the cold."