Opening of Old Port's observation wheel delayed until end of August

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.

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

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.

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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.

• Retrofitted century-old boats, meant as unique Old Port accommodations, still en route