Tampere promises to keep Viikinsaari boat link running

Access to the popular Viikinsaari recreation island is at risk after boat operator Hopealinja announced it will wind down operations, but the City of Tampere says it will secure transport to the island next summer if no new operator is found, Yle reports.

The city is continuously looking for a new company to run the route. If that search fails, Tampere is prepared to operate the service itself, according to Arto Vuojolainen, the city’s director of business and finance.

“If there is absolutely no other option, we certainly want to ensure transport to Viikinsaari,” Vuojolainen said.

Hopealinja is wholly owned by the City of Tampere and has been in financial difficulties and operating at a loss for a long time. The city has also been trying to sell the company to private owners.

Island hosts restaurants and events

Viikinsaari is a popular hiking and recreation destination on Lake Pyhäjärvi, about a 20 minute boat ride from central Tampere. Boats leave from Laukontori.

The island has a summer restaurant, a dance pavilion, a summer theatre, a sauna and a chapel, as well as accommodation services. Most of the island is a nature conservation area, with diverse grove vegetation visible along a nature trail around the island. It also has a beach.

“I assume the city does not want to leave an entire summer without any way of getting to the island. That would be a very unfortunate option,” Vuojolainen said.

Viikinsaari has hosted events for years, including the heavy metal festival Saarihelvetti. Organisers are also uncertain about the future.

“The situation is unclear, but for now we are planning next summer’s festival as normal. This summer was sold out and we received good feedback,” said Rowan Rafferty, the festival’s promoter.

The island also has five lightweight cabins for overnight stays. Roope Lemmetti, chief executive of the company Nolla Cabins, said the cabins have attracted many guests, including international travellers. He trusts that boats to Viikinsaari will also operate next summer.

Viikinsaari has served as a recreation area since the mid 19th century.