The year that was 2016 is history and we have turned the calendar page to 2017. Time is like a shark; it can only go forward and never backward. In the spirit of looking forward, here are my 2017 predictions:
1. The Calgary Flames will make the playoffs. We’re due.
2. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will land himself in a scandal of his own doing that will dog him for the balance of his shortened political career.
3. Construction will begin on the Okotoks regional water pipeline from Calgary.
4. The price of oil will exceed $80 per barrel at some point in the year.
5. The twinning of Pason Centennial Arena will finish ahead of schedule and be ready for use near the end of 2017.
6. George R.R. Martin will finally release The Winds of Winter, the sixth book in Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series. Tyrion will fly on a dragon.
7. Readers will view over a million webpages on the westernwheel.com website. There were over 700,000 webpage views in 2016.
8. There will be a large turnout of candidates running for council seats in Okotoks. At least four mayoral candidates and at least 18 council candidates. The municipal election is scheduled for October 16, 2017.
9. An athlete from Okotoks will earn a spot on Canada’s 2018 Winter Olympic Team.
10. Affordable virtual reality gear will be the most popular Christmas gift of 2017.
