The past two weeks of warm weather have been shattering record high temperatures in the Mackenzie Delta, but that shouldn't hinder the progress in getting the ice roads open.

Gurdev Jagpal, regional superintendent for the Department of Transportation, said they had a warm spell that stalled construction in late November, but crews were back to work last Tuesday.

"The ice crossing at Peel is constructed and open to full traffic, but the (Mackenzie crossing) is still under construction," Jagpal said, who said he's hoping the Mackenzie crossing will be open to full traffic by today.

Construction of the Tuk ice road has begun from the north end, but the Aklavik road construction won't begin for a while as there is still open water.

The usual opening day for the Aklavik road is around Dec. 30 and the Tuk road around Dec. 23.

Down in the Deh Cho region, natural ice rinks suffered in the heat.

An anomalous two-day warm spell in the last week of November left ice practically everywhere -- except for skating rinks.

The warm weather also precipitated a warning from the Department of Transportation that the Liard River ice bridge at Fort Simpson could close, but it remained open to traffic after all.

At the Fort Simpson curling rink, league play was cancelled due to several centimetres of water covering what was left of the curling ice.

"I think the most frustrating part is that it was looking so nice this year," said Roger Pilling.

In the next room, the arena's natural ice surface had also taken a beating.

"It's a puddle. It sets everything back a week," said recreation co-ordinator Peter Dimaline.

After nearly a month of preparations, the arena was set to open Wednesday, Nov. 27, the very day the mercury rose to a record 12 C in Fort Simpson, scuttling the plans.

An extra week's work will also be required on the arena ice in Fort Providence, according to recreation director Cliff McLeod.