The results are in.
After an engaging and successful community forum on Sept. 12, the Canadian Urban Institute has released its 16-page document detailing what Humboldt residents envision for their city.
The agenda that evening included table discussions where over 140 attendees evaluated a map of Humboldt's 83 heritage resources and themes, as identified in a 2010 survey.
They were asked to mark which sites they deemed a priority for Humboldt's identity and culture and which were not. They were also asked to include on a post-it note any additional ideas they had for their city's growth.
After the table discussion concluded, their opinions were opened up to a full-room discussion, where a representative from each table voiced their group's ideas on Humboldt's future.
Various ideas were shouted out, from the need for a downtown core, to a dog park, additional seniors' housing, even more doctors.
Nothing was off limits, no idea too bizarre or absurd.
"Well I guess I don't need to read out some of these, since they've already been mentioned," one table representative said at the forum, regarding ideas his group came up with.
"No, no, please share them," Jeff Evenson of Canadian Urban Institute said. "We need to hear every idea and if it's been mentioned before, it only means that people think it's very important."
Canadian Urban Institute has identified six key messages in its report, as deciphered from the forum:
Green space is a priority in Humboldt. The Humboldt Community Trails Association has no doubt made a giant dent in the city's trails initiative, but many participants at the forum voiced the need for bike trails and an off-leash dog park. As well, many felt walking trails connecting one end of the city to another were pertinent, in addition to cleaning up the Humboldt Flour Mill and Grain Elevator District, which could be used for additional green space.
Recreation and sports is a valued priority in town and many suggestions were put forth on how to better this sector, including expanding the Uniplex and possibly adding a second ice surface. However, Mayor Malcolm Eaton is quick to point out that some ideas are not confined to just Humboldt's jurisdiction.
"Many of the ideas thrown out there will actually be part of a regional discussion," Eaton said in a phone interview. "For instance, there are small communities outside Humboldt with arenas that just aren't used to their full potential, so that's something that needs to be taken into consideration," he said.
Eaton also acknowledged, however, the immense support for a multipurpose facility to house various sports and activities, he himself seeming keen on the idea, especially given Humboldt's impending growth.
The need for an arts and culture facility was also expressed, something that is more prevalent now in the wake of the Sutherland Theatre's closure and demolition. Artists and groups such as Arts Humboldt have been vocal about the need for a central facility for cultural activities.
Some expressed that a new arts facility could actually be a hybrid of a theatre, art gallery and performance space. In addition to preserving Humboldt's culture through the arts, many were also passionate on the need to rejuvenate the dilapidated CNR station. Ideas for its future included a farmers market, restaurant, or railway museum to showcase its integral history to the area.
Many mentioned the downtown area as an important asset to the community and one that shouldn't be overlooked, Mayor Eaton included.
"I want it to be a special, active place. A grocery store, booming businesses, all of that," Eaton said. "We're working closely with the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) to develop a plan."
Many participants at the forum were passionate about revamping Humboldt's downtown core, especially since the Co-op grocery store, conveniently located on Main Street for generations, moved westward on Highway 5 in July. Ideas tossed forward included having a small general store or satellite grocery store for basic amenities, widening the sidewalks, downtown coffee houses, parking spot for the Good Neighbour Store and public washrooms.
Despite throwing his support behind the downtown's rejuvenation, Eaton cautioned that not all ideas, regardless of their merit, will be feasible, or even fall under the City of Humboldt's control.
For instance, additional affordable housing for seniors and assisted-living facilities, while it may be a necessity for the city, doesn't fall under its authority.
"We're not responsible for that type of initiative," Eaton explained. "It's a great idea and we fully support it, but seniors' housing is a provincial matter that falls under private care. For instance, Caleb Village [which opened its doors in 2011] is a private enterprise," he said.
"But we're working on establishing which ideas are for the province to handle and looking to support our provincial branches as they tackle municipal issues here in Humboldt," Eaton said. "Some ideas won't fall under our strategic plan but that doesn't mean they're not good ideas."
Other ideas mentioned at the meeting included expanding city services like flexible childcare, redevelopment of the seniors' hall and additional youth social programs.
Of course, transit was a big topic, with many suggesting a road bypass for heavy traffic (the preliminary stages of which are already being analyzed by the Saskatchewan Department of Highways and Transportation and will take years to conclude), an underpass or overpass for the railway tracks and public transportation, whether in the form of a bus or shuttle service, for the expanding city; Humboldt has already hired Sagehill Community Futures to conduct a transportation analysis of the area.
Overall, Eaton and the City of Humboldt were more than pleased - maybe even pleasantly overwhelmed - with the turnout at September's forum.
"It was so great to see," Eaton said. "Just seeing all this information, years and years of opinions, finally summarizedit was just fantastic."
"The response has been tremendous and we're hoping that level of interest continues."
Eaton said the forum let the city know that they're doing great in several areas, like expanding trails, and others that need more attention, like the downtown core for instance.
The follow-up community forum will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 13 at the Uniplex. Like the previous one, it is free and open to everyone, but this time, it will focus on the ideas brought forth at the September meeting and which are feasible in the short term and long term.
"It's going to focus more on which are areas of priority; which ideas do our residents believe need to be addressed right away and which are further down the list," Eaton said.
For those naysayers who feel community forums such as these ones will, in the end, fall on deaf ears, Eaton was emphatic that it's quite the opposite.
"We really are laying out a plan here and the public's opinion is crucial to have," Eaton said. "Everything comes from them. We're really listening to what people have to say - the good, the bad and the ugly."
