Local Taxi Study Major Changes Recommended Morgan Beaudry A United Group cab waits for fares at the Saskatoon Airport (Photo: Verb) Saskatoon, SK — A draft of the long-awaited report on Saskatoon's taxi industry has been released and calls for a host of sweeping changes, though the owner of one cab company says such measures are not necessary. "A board is extreme overkill," says United Cabs President Scott Suppes. "We don't have so many taxis that we need a board to manage the industry, and I'm not sure what the purpose would be other than to add costs, which will get passed to the consumer in the end." Suppes says a few recommendations have merit, such as a dress code for drivers, but adds that some companies already have a dress policy in place. "What I'm opposed to having someone saying we have to have one," Suppes says. Mayor Don Atchison says that due to the number and scope of changes recommended in the 170-page report, city council and industry representatives will be doing a lot of talking before any decisions are made. "I'm going into this with an open mind," says Atchison. "I want to hear from the three companies and what their feelings are." The report calls for the implementation of a regulatory board which would have oversight over a host of concerns from the number of cabs in the city to English language testing for drivers. "What I've recommended is a move from licensing to light regulation, with the city taking on a little more responsibility in acting as an advocate for the taxi industry," says the report's author, Ray Mundy. "It wouldn't be micromanaging so much as setting standards for service delivery and ensuring that the industry complies." Motorcycle Noise Bylaw Proposal Angers Bikers Christina Boese Saskatoon, SK — Talks between city council and city officials about enforcing a bylaw for noisy motorcycles has local bikers fighting back. The city is hoping to follow Edmonton, which in June became the first jurisdiction in the country to regulate motorcycle noise. "The bikes as they come off the street are fine, it's all the aftermarket equipment that's the problem," says Saskatoon city councilor Maurice Neault, referring to volume-boosting modifications made to bikes' exhaust pipes and mufflers. The Saskatoon Police Service is now working with several other agencies to help craft a bylaw to regulate motorcycle noise based on decibel levels, creating a stir among local bikers who argue that motorcycle noise enhances rider safety by alerting drivers to riders' presence. "We simply need people to know we are around them when operating a vehicle," says the petition. "With louder pipes, they should be able to hear us." City resident Kelvin Ooms has created a petition against a motorcycle noise bylaw, and another group of concerned riders has created a Facebook page protesting the idea. The petition also notes that bikers are tired of being singled out. "Please leave [motorcyclists] alone, and allow us to enjoy the short season we have to ride," it reads. Neault disagrees, saying the additions are excessive and unnecessary. "The bottom line is: if you want to make excessive noise, use the race track, not the street." Domed Stadium Decision May Wait Until Fall Meagan Thomas Saskatoon, SK — The province of Saskatchewan has decided to postpone a decision on whether to build a new domed stadium in Regina, saying it needs more time and more information. The provincial government is considering partnering with federal and municipal governments and the Roughriders on a new multi-purpose facility that would serve as the football club's new home, as well as a community entertainment, trade show and recreational venue. A $1 million feasibility study released in March estimated the cost for a 33,000-seat indoor stadium — that could accommodate 45,000 in a pinch — at $386 million, or $431 million with a retractable roof. A decision on funding was anticipated this spring, but the province is now saying they may not make an announcement on the issue until the fall. Though the province's deadline to apply for federal Economic Action Plan funds was June 30th, the minister overseeing stadium matters, Ken Cheveldayoff, says the province won't disclose which programs it has applied to fund. Saskatchewan isn't alone in its bid to spruce up its major athletic venue — all eight CFL franchise cities are looking at various overhauls and renovations.