One of the receptionists asks on of the bosses over the phone. At the other end we can hear a man’s voice saying: “Well,& maybe 40-50 thousand”.
- If you want to know more, you’ll have to ask Bente Aae, the receptionist says.
We call the director of information, whom we assume to be rather busy.
- We expect some tens of thousands of people. Do you think we’re wrong to expect that many, Bente Aae asks.
Any higher?
We do not find it an unreasonable number. But some tens of thousands? At the reception they talked of fifty thousand? Aftenbladet decides to take on the role as auctioneer.
- How about 50,000, Bente Aae?
- Oh, it’s hard to say, but we are ready for 40 – 50 thousand. We do of course expect all of Rogaland to have set aside that day, Aae says with laughter in her voice.
Jørn Snorre Andersen, project advisor for the opening party, decides to join in the bidding.
- Anything between 20 and 40 thousand people would be as expected, he says.
Could close down the centre
According to Andersen, the market place can fit about 10,000 people.
- We’ve tried to spread the festivities all over town to make sure there’s room for everybody. 40-50 thousand should be fine, but there is a physical limit to how many people can be downtown Stavanger at the same time, he says.
Stavanger 2008 will respect these limitations. If the down town area fills up so much it becomes hazardous for people’s health they will close down the centre.
- We’ll welcome everyone, but should the numbers reach 80,000, we’ll have to draw a line. Then we’ll have to close the roads leading into the centre. If 50.000 show up on Saturday, the entire area from the central bus station down to Hall Toll will be packed, he says.
No cars on Saturday
Arve Simonsen, in charge of city planning, is a busy man. We catch up with him sitting under a pile of papers in his own car parked outside the Cathedral. He lists up roads, times and car parks at such a rapid pace he barely has time to breathe. He then takes a deep breath and shakes his head.
- To be perfectly honest, this has been terribly hectic. A lot of things have to go smoothly on Saturday. Simonsen informs us, amidst frantic breathing, of the roads that will be closed on Saturday.
- I encourage everybody to come on foot or by bus. Saturday is not a good day to take your car to town. I certainly hope I won’t see anybody driving in his or her car all alone, Simonsen says.
As for parking, with Jernbanelokket, Valberget and Domkirkeplassen closing at 11 am, Jorenholmen is likely to fill up rather quickly.
- My advice to anyone driving into town on Saturday would be to park at either St. Olav or the post office, Simonsen says, before adding:
- But I do hope people will leave their cars at home that day, as it will be challenging to get around on four wheels.
- When will things be back to normal?
- I think I’ll say maybe around 9 pm on Saturday, Simonsen says in a hopeful voice.
If you plan on participating in the opening festivities in Stavanger on Saturday, you will do wisely in studying this map carefully.
Closed roads: Klubbgata, Kongsgata, Havneringen, Skagen, Strandkaien at the International terminal, Kongsgårdsbakken, Haakon VIIs gate, Olav Vs gate and Jernbaneveien will be closed from 11am and out the day. Teaterveien, Lagårdsveien from the Theater to the Fire Brigade station and the Kirkegårdsveien will be closed until 5 pm, and Ny Olavskleiv and Lars Hertervigsgate will be closed from 5 pm to 7pm.
Closed car parks: Valberget, Jernbanelokket and the one beneath the Cathedral will be closed from 11 am and out the day.
Buses moved: Until 1 pm all the buses will go as normal or with extra capacity. Between 1 pm and 7.30 pm all the buses will pass through the terminal at Fiskepiren, while the Byterminalen (the central bus station) will be closed.
Taxi at Løkkeveien: During the parade, the only taxi rank will be at Løkkeveien. Apart from this period, all regular taxi stands will relocate to Lars Hertervigs gate by the Postal Office.
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