One thing is for certain: Humboldt is changing.
And, because of that, many are wondering exactly what the future of this city is going to look like.
Will a Walmart ever be in town?
A new theatre to fill the void the Sutherland's demolition has left?
Will there ever be anything fun for young 20-somethings to take part in?
The Journal sat down with Mayor Eaton a few weeks ago to discuss these very questions, and he was happy to provide us with answers.
For starters, at the second Our Humboldt community forum held in November, many had a gripe with the lack of activities geared toward younger people without children or families.
The draft framework, constructed by the Canadian Urban Institute and presented at this forum, said one of Humboldt's values was being a "welcoming" community that would be "safe, inclusive and accessible" for younger families, older adults and new immigrants.
"But what about 25 to 40 year olds who are single or don't have children? What are they to do?" asked DonnaLyn Thorsteinson, who at the time was the executive director of the Humboldt & District Chamber of Commerce.
"We've had many people move to this area who fall into that category and we're unable to retain them because there just isn't a lot in this area to keep them occupied."
Someone else at the meeting piped up and mentioned organizations like JCI Humboldt, which is comprised of many young volunteers and is actively engaged in the community at organizing events and other causes.
But it seems many people, including Eaton himself, think that Humboldt really needs an injection of fun for its younger citizens.
"Are there any plans to bring in more activities to the city?" I asked.
"Absolutely," Eaton replied. "This is something that even BHP Billiton [who just recently invested a couple of billion more dollars into its Jansen potash mine] has asked us. They're curious about what we have to offer their young employees who will be moving to this area."
So what kind of ideas does the City of Humboldt have in mind for its younger, bored residents?
"We're looking at bringing in new facilities, like a theatre or a multi-purpose centre. We've identified that that's the direction we want to move forward to, addressing more activities for our community to take part in," he said.
Eaton also touched on the recent opening of Boston Pizza in the Quill Centre as an important addition that addresses this very concern.
"Having [Boston Pizza] here is a big deal, especially because it includes a sports bar," he said, noting that many residents will now have a communal place to watch the "big game" and socialize outside of their work environment or everyday routine.
"My son is 30 and when the Grey Cup was happening, I asked him where he was going to watch it and naturally he said the sports bar in town. So we understand that young people need a place like that to hang out sometimes," Eaton said.
He also understands that right now, many people flock to bigger nearby cities like Saskatoon or Regina on the weekends in order to get their fill of fun.
"There's nothing wrong with going to Saskatoon, but there needs to be stuff here in Humboldt too. We need to figure out what's happening in those cities that we can have here," Eaton said.
"But, of course there are some things that will just never happen here," he said, alluding to things such as a big movie theatre like Galaxy Cinemas in Saskatoon.
Eaton said the City intends to do conduct further research on this matter to figure out exactly what the younger generation of Humboldt would like to see in the city.
"We want to know from people exactly what it is they're looking for," he said.
For right now, Eaton points to the opening of the new art gallery in the former Merchants Bank building as a haven for people to hang out.
"There's a small stage there that's perfect for music jams and folk singers and I know the gallery plans on hosting events like wine and cheese nights and coffee houses for younger people to come and hang out," Eaton said.
"We're also planning on working with St. Peter's College, because they have a young university crowd there, and Carlton Trail. Both their students fall into the demographic we're trying to address," Eaton said.
"Our high school kids tell us there's really not a lot to do around town and so the bottom line is that we've gotta have more things going on, period," he added.
One thing Eaton would really like to see?
"A community theatre group."
It'd be a "neat thing to have" he said, before addressing the fact that right now, there isn't really a viable facility to house such a group.
"There's lots of vibe about having a new theatre here in Humboldt and trust me, it's not a question of wanting to build a new one, because of course we do," he said. "But we have a committee in place right now who will be looking at the notion of future facilities. Will it be part of the Uniplex? A theatre on its own? Will it be a multiplex or can we have it in the courthouse, because it doesn't get used as much anymore? There are so many options we're looking at."
So when exactly does Eaton think Humboldt could finally have a theatre again to house its arts sector?
"Within 10 years, for sure," he said. "Although I hope it'll be sooner."
And what about the most famous big-box store of them all, Walmart? Will it ever open its doors in Humboldt?
"Absolutely," Eaton said. "Eventually Walmart will come, there's no doubt."
Eaton said that when Walmart does eventually set up shop in Humboldt, it'll be in the Quill Centre, which currently plays host to Sobeys, Canadian Tire, Tim Hortons and the newly-opened Boston Pizza.
"Walmart has been talking to us and Martin Blair [owner of the Quill Centre] for several years now. It's still a ways away but it will happen," Eaton said.
Blair was able to provide the Journal with a site plan of the Quill Centre, which clearly shows a large spot positioned for a Walmart on the west end of the mall, behind Boston Pizza; according to the plans, there's also a Canadian Tire gas bar planned for the space on the east side of Tim Hortons.
Despite the ever-growing expansion of Humboldt's west part of town, Eaton said the primary focus for the City and the BID (downtown Business Improvement Distirct) is the downtown core.
"We know from research and talking to other communities that if we don't pay attention to our downtown, it'll suffer and be a less attractive place for people to live and visit," Eaton said.
"We need to have activity down there - street fairs, specialty shopsthings for people to do and see. The historic Humboldt initiative is a great start but we need to do more and that's our big focus," he said.
"We've been planting trees and fixing up infrastructure in that area and even though it's here and there, it really adds up and those small pieces play a big part."
Eaton said that focusing on sprucing up the downtown will help Humboldt become a vibrant community that people want to visit, acknowledging the benefits of renovations being done on shops around town, and the seniors hall potentially being turned into a community centre.
"Our downtown has been the heart of the city and we want to make sure it stays that way."
