And just like that, we are wrapping up another pandemic year.
This year, we became more accustomed to this hardy virus and it has almost turned into a routine rather than nonsense as it felt in its first year. But it still was taking up a lot of space in the talks, minds and lives.
So let's try again, let's hope for a new beginning in 2022. The new beginning and new us, more aware of the enemy, with immune systems that know how to fight it, with big plans and big hopes that go beyond the pandemic.
After all, the upcoming year promises a lot of excitement for us here in Estevan and for the world in general.
Locally, the downtown revitalization will see further progress, making the city more attractive, more comfortable and more joyful to live in. Outside North America, downtowns are often the places to be. European big-city downtowns are gorgeous, loud and filled with happiness 24/7. Small communities there also put a lot of effort into keeping their downtowns beautiful, attractive and alive.
Downtowns feel safe and welcoming. There are a lot of business opportunities, and people just want to be there. It's something Estevan is aiming at, and I really look forward to seeing more progress in that area. Outside simple esthetics, downtown revitalization, along with other initiatives, could potentially help bring in more businesses and more people, keeping the city flourishing.
And I know it's been a big hope for many people who've been born and raised here, and those who made Estevan their home and sincerely love this community.
The spring will also bring some of the best young hockey players and their fans from all across the country over to the Energy City, filling it with life and excitement, as Estevan will be hosting the 2022 Centennial Cup national junior A hockey championship, presented by Tim Hortons, in May.
I'm sure many other big events will make a return in the new year. As we find our way around the pandemic, we'll be able to once again enjoy more live music and entertainment, more events and activities, more projects, tournaments and get-togethers. It's too early to guess which of them are coming back this upcoming year, and which may choose to wait a bit longer, but I have no doubts that we'll see a way more dynamic agenda in 2022.
I'm pretty confident winter will keep everyone occupied with sports. And come spring and summer, it will just get busier and busier.
I personally hope to see the Innovation Conference and Trade Show coming to life one way or the other. I'd love to see another edition of Rafferty Rumble or another similar event coming to Estevan during the hot summer days.
I expect that the Souris Valley Theatre will be able to offer another great list of performances and shows. And I'm sure there will be some new initiatives and ideas coming to light, as no pandemic can kill local ingenuity and love for life and entertainment.
Globally, if things keep going the way they are, and Omicron proves to be another little bump on the road, there is still a good chance of us to start getting out of the pandemic mid-2022 with COVID-19 being still dangerous, but well under control, something similar to seasonal flu. And that scenario promises a lot of excitement as well with more travelling and thus more international events and activities, gradual economic recovery and development, new plans and projects.
I'm also sure that we all have some personal goals and dreams to look forward to in the new year.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes by the plan and I will finally be able to have my family come over for a visit. It will be the first time since I came to Canada and it will be my opportunity to show them the great city, beautiful province and the gorgeous country I live in now. Another milestone I look forward to is becoming a Canadian citizen. It's been a long and sometimes thorny road, and I'm now nearing the finish line, probably just to come up with the next new big adventure, but I'm really looking forward to it.
I also can't wait to see some of my friends that live in different provinces, explore more North American national parks, dive into more local events and come across many new great stories.
I know the new year will be exciting, especially if we start it on a positive note.
And even if this New Year's Eve is still not exactly the way you wanted it, thank the last year for all the good it's brought, leave the bad behind and focus on all the highlights, dreams and wishes that you have for the year to come.
I wish all of them to come true!
Happy New Year!
