For the first time in it’s history, the City of St. John’s is placing a cap on the number of people who can be on George Street during the Oct. 29-30 Mardi Gras.

Both the city and George Street Bar Owners’ Association have agreed 4,200 is the maximum number of people allowed on the street while bands are playing on the stage at Prince Edward Plaza.

The city’s special events advisory committee recommended the cap due to liability concerns.

For instance, it’s imperative emergency vehicles have access to the street if need be. Also, the cap mitigates concern over people getting injured in a crowd.

Deputy mayor Gerry Colbert, who noted there were about 6,000 people on George Street last year for the Mardis Gras, asked Monday how organizers will be able to ensure the cap isn’t exceeded.

Art Cheeseman, the city’s director of engineering, said the event organizers plan to keep a tally of the number of tickets being issued while there’s entertainment on the stage.

Still, Colbert said the Mardi Gras is a popular event that attracts people from all over the province. “I have this gut feeling that there’s going to be quite a crowd outside the gate wanting to get in and, obviously, we’re not going to allow it,” he said. “Added security might be advisable.”

Cheeseman said that concern has been raised with the bar owners’ association and “they are providing a lot of security.” “In addition, we’ve also asked them to pay particular attention to the issue of crowding the stage and ensuring that pathways are kept free for emergency purposes,” he said.

Like Colbert, Coun. Dennis O’Keefe questioned how the rules will be enforced. “In terms of being realistic and practical, who knows how many will end up on the street,” O’Keefe said.

City solicitor and chief commissioner Ron Penny said the city has to be satisfied that 4,200 people is the maximum number of people that will be allowed on George Street. “So (bar owners) have to provide security and provide a ticketing system,” he said.

Cheeseman noted individual clubs will even monitor the number of people departing the premises to enter the street.

“O’Keefe responded: “I don’t know who’s going to do the tallying but it’s going to be interesting.”

Coun. Keith Coombs said the bar owners’ association is taking the issue seriously because they want the Mardi Gras to continue.

Coun. Shannie Duff said there was concern the initial capacity limitation would hinder bar owners who had already signed contracts with various bands.

But Cheeseman said the capacity number was refined over the past several days through discussions with the bar owners’ association. “It’s a number that our director of buildings and our director of fire services feel comfortable with,” he said.

The city plans to meet with the association after the Mardis Gras event to assess the cap, Cheeseman said, noting a decision will be made as to whether it should be higher next time around.

Craig Jackson, The Telegram, Tuesday, October 26, 2004