Zoolights, Canada Olympic Park close temporarily due to deep freeze

Calgary attractions are opting to close their doors because of plummeting temperatures over the next few days.

The Zoolightsdisplay at the Calgary Zoowascancelled on Tuesday.

Zoo officials plan to have the event resume by Thursday, weather permitting, and will provide an update on Wednesday.

Also, Calgarians hoping to ski or snowboard at COP this week will have to change their plans, as the forecast of severe cold has prompted the hill to close for at least the next two days.

WinSport, the company that operates the hill,says it will be shut down on Wednesday and Thursday.The hill remained open for its regular hours on Tuesday.

Environment Canada is calling for a wind chill that makes it feel as cold as 37 on Wednesday, while Thursday's forecasted high is just 22.

It's the first closure of the season for the ski hill.

"Mother Nature hasn't been a big fan of oursto this point of the season. It's been either too warm to make snow and now it's too cold to bring people out," said Dale Oviatt, WinSport spokesperson.

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"Every year we have several closures due to the cold. Last year was pretty mild, we only had one."

Oviatt says the closure is a safety precaution for patrons and staff.

The Markin MacPhail Centre, the Calgary Gymnastics Centre and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame will not be affected by the closure.

Whether the closure will extend to Friday will be decided by noon on Thursday. Updates will be provided on itswebsite.

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