(Seguin) — Play ball! That’s the latest call being made the city of Seguin as it inches its way toward reopening some of its facilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In December, the city announced that it would cancel booking of all events at its facilities and properties. Last month, that cancellation was extended for an additional month. A continued increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations and positive cases in Guadalupe County forced the city to keep the properties closed at least through March. 1.
A change in the numbers, however, has allowed the city to revaluate its current COVID-19 climate — allowing for outdoor events only to resume activity. Among those being cleared for a March 1 opening are the fields at the Seguin Little League Complex.
Seguin Mayor Donna Dodgen says the decision was based solely on the current climate of COVID-19 across the community.
“The COVID numbers are flattening and there’s been a bit of a less hospitalization and less COVID ER visits from the reports we are getting. Also, the number of cases that the state has given us this week lent itself to this as well because it has decreased. So, that supported opening the outdoor facilities within city properties for March 1,” said Dodgen.
Dodgen says “these are very unprecedented times and decisions are not made lightly.
Dodgen says she knows that residents are all trying their best to get through these very difficult times. She says because this is such a fluid situation, changes and other decisions can happen at any time.
“You know I try to balance life, health, safety, fun, exercise and it’s been really difficult. But, the bottom line is we are going to give it a try. If the numbers go up, and anything changes, we’ll have to revert back,” said Dodgen.
Dodgen says although they are slowing moving toward reopening some of its facilities, she is optimistic that public use of the facilities can be successful if folks continue to practice safety.
“But right now, it looks like we can do a hybrid and be safe if people continue to be diligent about safety and sanitation, wearing masks, social distancing, washing hands, hand sanitizers, staying with family units, that sort of thing. I think we will be able to pull it off. The numbers seem to be showing that it is on a small decline,” said Dodgen.
Dodgen says although this initial phase is for outdoor properties only, she offers a message of hope for the rest of the public who awaits a return to some type of normalcy.
“I want them to hear that March, we will look at it again and my prayer is that everything will open and the vaccines will help getting things back to normal in April and May. There is so much to be done and people want to do things so bad. I do too and so that is my goal but I know for public health and public safety, we need to be really careful and I need to be judicious about how I do that and how I do that is looking at numbers and making a decision as we go along,” said Dodgen.
Again, there will be no indoor gatherings or reservations made at this time for other city properties such as the Seguin Coliseum. Although activity can resume on outdoor space, city officials stress that those gatherings will still have to adhere to the executive orders of Governor Greg Abbott.
Those utilizing the space will also have to submit their COVID-19 safety plan to the city before proceeding with an event.