Recreation center plans to double accommodations for emergencies
The Smithville Recreation Center is undergoing a federally funded expansion to double the number of evacuees it can house during emergencies to 150.
The improvements are being funded by a $1.5 million portion of a $25 million grant the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provided to Bastrop County to strengthen emergency response and preparedness after the 2011 Complex Fire.
There is no cost to the city for the improvements to the recreation center with the no-match federal grant.
The 5,600-square-foot expansion by Gaeke Construction is to the back of the recreation center on either side of the existing stage, and will allow for an additional 75 evacuees to shelter at the facility.
The structure uses a pre-engineered metal system that matches the current recreation center building.
The renovations include upgraded restrooms with extra showers and added a laundry facility for long-term stays. They also include a multipurpose room and a media room with 9-foot screens and sound system to disperse information to the public, City Manager Robert Tamble said.
The center’s exterior doors have been upgraded for safety, and the tiles in the front area of the facility are scheduled to be replaced.
Officials also are considering installing a sprinkler system at the site. “We don’t want to leave any money on the table,” Tamble said.
No upgrades were made to the commercial kitchen, though the center’s property outside has had some improvements paid for by the grant funding.
Smith Paving has taken out the grass barriers in the center of the parking area and is resurfacing the existing parking lots on the front and side of the recreation center.
It is also paving a nearby empty lot on First Street, beside the skate park, for emergency vehicles and a staging area for command vehicles. In non-emergency times, Tamble said the lot could be used as overflow parking for the recreation center.
The city also is exploring using the lot for RV rentals, with the understanding that they would have to be moved immediately during an emergency, to raise extra funds for city coffers.
Officials said the city would first need to make sure it was permissible as the lot is being improved with federal money.
The renovations are expected to be completed this month, said architect Dean Allen, architect and principal of Cutright & Allen. Allen said the improvements, which started in October, are only slightly behind schedule due to periods of inclement weather.
Bastrop County, Bastrop and Elgin all are building emergency facilities with portions of the $25 million grant, and an emergency tower was built north of Smithville for increased communication ability during disasters.