The people of Humboldt and area were weighing in Nov. 13, on topics ranging from the city's future prosperity to its green thumb.
It was the second installment of the Our Humboldt community forum, led by Jeff Evenson of the Canadian Urban Institute, a not-for-profit organization helping the City of Humboldt strategize for its future.
"Some cities have to manage decline, but Humboldt is managing growth," Evenson told the crowd of onlookers.
"And you're at the point of trying to preserve a unique cultural identity while experiencing this."
Whereas the first community forum back in September was used to gather feedback from residents on what areas (or lack thereof) of Humboldt they wanted addressed, this follow-up session was to prioritize those opinions.
"We want to figure out what we can focus on at the moment and what will come later," Mayor Malcolm Eaton said in an earlier interview.
Although the attendance at the second forum was much less than the first one, there were still tables of people, many who had been at the first one, and even some new faces, ready to voice their thoughts and opinions.
Evenson and the Institute composed a draft plan framework which they handed out to every table, of seven values people of Humboldt consider important to the city, using the feedback garnered from the previous forum.
Using that same information gathered in September, it was then detailed in what form residents want to see that value materialize, and how the city can make that happen.
Every table was to go over the draft plan and pick out parts they agreed with and parts they wanted to amend, if some areas were hazy.
One table took issue with the "Our Humboldt Vision" laid out on the draft report, which stated that, "As a hub of Central Saskatchewan's cultural and economic life, Humboldt celebrates its values and identity and welcomes people and investment from around the world."
This group shook their heads.
"The mining, manufacturing and agricultural sector should be added into that statement," Humboldt resident Kevin Brooks said. "That's what Humboldt is made of. Those are the people who really support the community."
Under the "active" value, while mentioning that residents would like to see the city as a "walkable, active and healthy community," on the draft plan, one group told Evenson they'd like to see transportation added to that category.
"We think transportation should go under the active value," they said, with another group later adding that in terms of strategies for obtaining that goal, "it's important to include all age groups in this. Not just a young active community but that even seniors are active too."
Under the "creative" value, it was stated that Humboldt would like to be a regional destination for arts and culture, and would get there by fostering cultural vitality.
One group thought that wasn't enough.
"To add to that, we think municipal partnership is important to build our arts and heritage," they said, a possible premonition, since the City of Humboldt was just granted approval from the provincial government to form a regional planning district with the RM of Humboldt.
Other groups wanted clarification of the "sustainable" value, which vaguely said "Humboldt is a city that works", while some attendees reiterated, under the "connected" value, the importance of using the facilities of surrounding communities, like the Muenster soccer fields and the arena in Watson.
"We really need to have better communication that these additional facilities exist and that people can use them," one man said.
One concern that was brought up time and time again at the forum was the lack of an arts facility, since the recent demolition of the much-beloved Sutherland Theatre.
"It's so, so important for Humboldt to have a place for the arts," said resident Elvina Pray.
Another issue Pray, and a few others, expressed may be something out of the City of Humboldt's authority but is, according to them, a nuisance nonetheless.
"Stop that railway tooting!" Pray, who has lived in Humboldt for 13 years, said. "It just drives people crazy, especially in the middle of the night."
Another group emphasized Pray's sentiment.
"You're not going to be able to build any houses or subdivisions by the railway tracks because who the heck would want to live near there? That train would drive them nuts."
Unfortunately, that may be more of a concern for CN to deal with.
In the meantime, topics like affordable housing and shoddy internet ("Everyone thinks we're the province that is behind the timesand honestly, we are in technology," said another group) were brought up, and the establishment of public transportation, whether in the form of a bus or shuttle, was mentioned to Evenson.
"Not everything has to be for council to handle. Informal committees can undertake some of these concerns too," voiced one lady. "That'll get the ball rolling even faster."
DonnaLyn Thorsteinson, executive director of the Humboldt & District Chamber of Commerce, noted a hole in the "welcoming" value, which said that Humboldt is a safe and good community to live in for "young families, older adults and new immigrants."
"We always mention young families but what about young adults in the 25-40 age range who aren't married or have children," Thorsteinson asked. "We're able to attract this age range but we have trouble retaining them," she added, noting a lack of activities and resources for that demographic to engage in.
When table and full-room discussion segments had finally come to an end and Eaton made his closing remarks, it was obvious he was happy with the overwhelming feedback on the draft plan framework the Institute had compiled.
Thanking everyone for their support and attendance, he noted the importance of their opinions in determining Humboldt's future, reiterating that this would be the highest-level policy document the city would have.
"This is going to be the go-to policy for [council]," Eaton said. "We'll constantly be referring back to this strategic plan when determining other things."
He then made a wry grin.
"And 'repair those roads', some of you say."
He laughed.
"You're darn right."
The information gathered from the second community forum will be analyzed and compiled by the Canadian Urban Institute and presented to city council in January as the official strategic plan for the city.
