Anyone hoping to try out the "Grande Roue" observation wheel in Montreal's Old Port will now have to wait until the end August.

The 60-metre tall wheel is built and was supposed to open to the public in June, but the grounds around it and a building housing a café, bar and offices aren't finished.

Heavy rains and a brief construction strike haven't helped, and it's now Quebec's annual two-week construction holiday.

The Grande Roue features 42 climate-controlled cabins and will operate year round. (Radio-Canada/Diana Gonzalez) Members of the public, meanwhile, are raring to go.

"I would have liked to see the city from above but what can you do I guess," Gerard Pelegrini said.

"It was big so I wanted to try it," said Howie Vargas.

Howie and Nina Vargas said they are disappointed the wheel isn't open, but are having fun in Montreal anyway. (Navneet Pall/CBC)

Once it is up and running, the observation wheel with its 42 enclosed, climate-controlled cabins will operate 12 months a year.

The $27-million wheel located on Bonsecours Island will be in place for at least five years, as per the agreement with its private sector builders.