Smithville, Texas, will soon welcome the Centennial Creekside RV Park, a weather-resilient facility designed to provide safety and shelter for RV travelers. Set to open on January 2, 2025, the park emphasizes storm preparedness, a feature encouraged by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Weather Service as part of the “Weather Ready” initiative.
The park has been years in the making, from land acquisition to design, construction, and permitting. Owner Steve Simmons, who spearheaded the project, explained that his goal was to create a space that prioritizes guest safety during storms.
Notable features include reinforced concrete-block bathrooms designed to double as storm shelters. Simmons highlighted that the decision to build with durability in mind was influenced by the area’s history of severe weather, including the impacts of Hurricane Harvey, though the park’s site itself did not experience flooding during the storm.
Smithville, located in Bastrop County, has seen significant growth in recent years, driven in part by the presence of major companies such as SpaceX, X (formerly Twitter), and The Boring Company.
The Centennial Creekside RV Park is positioned to meet this demand by catering to both long-term residents and short-term visitors exploring nearby attractions, including two state parks and Smithville’s historic downtown shops.
Simmons emphasized the importance of addressing the challenges faced by RV travelers during severe weather. “RVers are some of the most vulnerable populations when it comes to storms, but this brand-new RV park in Smithville is hoping to build in a sense of security,” CBS Austin Chief Meteorologist Chikage Windler said.
Construction delays initially slowed progress, but the park remained committed to creating a facility that combines functionality with safety.
The bathrooms at the community center are a key feature of the park, built with reinforced eight-inch-thick concrete walls and metal doors. “The walls, as you can see, are eight inches thick. They’ve got concrete, there’s reinforcement bar in here,” Simmons explained.
In addition to its safety features, the park incorporates communication technology to ensure uninterrupted service during severe weather events. Simmons installed Starlink satellite internet, a strategic choice given the company’s operations in nearby Bastrop.
With underground electric infrastructure and a backup generator, the park is designed to maintain connectivity and power even during outages.
Energy efficiency is another cornerstone of the park’s design. Simmons utilized modern foam insulation to enhance the durability and comfort of the structures.
“This insulation is foam insulation, and it’s the new technology because it makes essentially the building airtight. It keeps the heat out and the cool in,” Simmons noted.
For Simmons, the project is not only a business venture but also a personal investment in his family’s future. He expressed a desire to create a legacy that prioritizes quality and safety.
“It’s a long-term investment. I want to leave this to my kids. But it’s using the better materials, spending a little bit more money so it lasts longer, but also at the same time making it safer,” he said.
Dr. Craig Ceecee, founder of Find Your Tornado Shelter, also highlighted the critical need for hardened shelter options in places like RV parks.
“A good example is in RV parks and mobile homes. We need hardened locations to make sure that the occupants are safe during a tornado,” he said, as reported by CBS Austin.
According to its website, Centennial Creekside RV Park offers a host of features and amenities designed to make every stay comfortable, convenient, and enjoyable. Guests can enjoy access to WiFi, perfect for staying connected while on the road.
The park also provides BBQ grills and fire pits for outdoor gatherings, as well as free coffee.
For those seeking recreation, the park features fishing opportunities and a clubhouse equipped with air conditioning and full kitchen facilities, offering a comfortable space to relax or host events.
