The times, they are a-changing.
And the City of Humboldt is well aware of it.
A new, exciting way the city has decided to roll with the times is to undertake a cultural planning initiative.
But what is that, exactly?
Think of it like the City of Humboldt applying a cultural lens to all planning and decision-making they undertake.
"This is an important planning process for the City of Humboldt and for the community - nothing like this has been done before here," said Jennifer Brooks, director of communications and community development for the City of Humboldt.
The city's strategic planning process that unfolded over the span of 2009-13 highlighted the need for cultural planning as well.
"We have a new council, the nature of the community is changing so in June we put out proposals to a few cultural planning institutes," said Mayor Malcolm Eaton.
They soon got a bite.
The Canadian Urban Institute, an organization that works with municipalities to help build a cultural framework, agreed to work with Humboldt to measure and highlight cultural areas that foster creativity for the city, create wealth and social cohesion.
Why is it important though?
Well it's only in recent times that municipalities started realizing the importance culture plays in the betterment of the city.
It attracts new residents and employers, increases tourism and builds social capital and overall community well-being, according to CCNC.
Jeff Evenson, vice-president of the Canadian Urban Institute and Humboldt's principal consultant on the matter, points out that most people have a skewed view of what culture actually means though, explaining it's more than just arts, museums and galleries.
"I call it the three v's: values, vibe and virtuosity," Evenson said.
Values are things a community knows are important to them. For Humboldt, maybe it's the preservation of the old post office that is now a museum. Or the Broncos. Or retaining the CN building because it was so a part of the city's history.
Or razing it because it's an unnecessary eyesore.
Vibe is the lived commercial culture. In layman's terms, it's the feeling someone gets when they're in the community, thanks to its surroundings, whether it be quaint little coffee shops, four-storey malls, friendly people or seedy motels.
Virtuosity is the pursuit of cultural excellence and that, Evenson said, is channeled through museums, galleries, monuments and theatres.
And by examining Humboldt's numerous cultural assets, one thing Evenson and Eaton want to zoom in on is how Humboldt's culture affects its residents' quality of life.
By that, it means what does culture give back to its residents, in the forms of outdoor activities, public learning for all ages, city-wide health initiatives or celebrations of diversity.
Does the community's culture help someone feel whole?
"We're now a very multicultural community," Eaton said, pointing out the number of ethnic groups who call Humboldt home, like Ukrainians, Filipinos, French and even the Republic of Mauritius.
The cultural analysis the Canadian Urban Institute conducts for Humboldt will surely address the city's diversity; local clubs and organizations exist such as the Humboldt & District German Heritage Society, and services like the Humboldt Regional Newcomer Centre help immigrants settle into the city.
Quality of life is enhanced through Humboldt's recreational activities, like the building of trails undertaken by the Humboldt Community Trails Association and the Uniplex's multiple facilities.
Even health has become a powerful influence in local groups; LiveWell Chronic Disease Management, a branch of the Saskatoon Health Region, runs fitness classes out of the Uniplex and the Food Connection For All and the Humboldt Community Garden strive to ensure residents have access to healthier choices when it comes to food.
Arts are enhanced through grassroots initiatives like the Reid-Thompson Library's Summer Reading Club and the community arts program run out of the Humboldt & District Museum & Gallery, instructional classes led by local artists.
However, one demographic the mayor has set his focus on is Humboldt's senior community.
"They're very important to our city," he said.
One issue that has surfaced recently is the city's expansion west of town. With the Humboldt Co-op grocery store relocating along Highway 5 West, it means Main Street, which used to be the bustling core of Humboldt, is losing its draw.
And with lack of transportation options, it makes it difficult for that age group to venture westward.
So whether it's in transit, the senior's centre and basic infrastructure, that's one group that the cultural planning project will highlight.
By creating a cultural resource database available on the city's website, anyone will be able to access Humboldt's cultural assets.
In the form of a geographical information system (GIS), you'd be able to research anything pertaining to Humboldt's culture.
Whether looking up the number of coffee shops or buildings constructed before 1920, Evenson said the GIS system will not tell, but show the person where these are located.
But the work isn't confined solely to the Canadian Urban Institute.
"We're just here to give Humboldt the capacity to do these types of analyses," Evenson said. "Humboldt's attitude will determine its future."
So how does Evenson sum up Humboldt?
"Humboldt punches above its weight," he said. "It acts bigger than it is and that's a good thing. Does the city's growth in recent years have Humboldt by the tail? No way. The city has the attitude to manage all this."
One thing Mayor Eaton would like to see is the retention of Humboldt's close-knit feel despite its growth.
Evenson said the fundamental way to make sure the city's culture doesn't crumble as the population burgeons is to keep the conversation alive.
"We want to hardwire people to feel connected to the conversation. What do the people want? That's the important question," Evenson said.
A community engagement session led by the Canadian Urban Institute in partnership with the City of Humboldt will be held Sept. 12 to figure out just that.
