Just in time for winter, the Canada 150 skating rink is moving to Gananoque, Ont.

The decision to relocate the former Parliament Hill skating rink to the small town was partly a symbolic gesture, sources close to the file told CBC News, as it sits in late Gord Brown's riding of ​Leeds–Grenville–Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes.

The Conservative MP died May 2 after suffering a heart attack in his Parliament Hill office.

"It's fantastic to have an outdoor rink to keep running all winter," said Gananoque Mayor Erika Demchuk, who heard the news from CBC but had not yet been informed about the decision by Canadian Heritage.

She said while the exact spot for the rink still has to be determined, the town plans to put it near the local arena.

"We can use the same Zamboni," she said.

The town also hopes to name the rink after Brown, Demchuk said.

"He was a integral part of the community. His passing hit everyone really hard."

Price tag controversy

The rink officially opened on the grounds of Parliament Hill last December.

It drew considerable controversy over its initial $5.6-million price tag for a three-week run. The cost then jumped by $2.5 million when the rink's season was extended to Feb. 25.

Over two-and-a-half months in operation, about 150,000 skaters used the rink.

A formal announcement about the rink's new location is expected in the coming days.