Fort Walton Beach announces community plans for Rigdon Center
Okaloosa County approves $1.89M concession/restroom building at the Destin–Fort Walton Beach Rigdon Center; phased renovations continue.
FORT WALTON BEACH - The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Rigdon Center, formerly the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds, is poised for a resurgence as Okaloosa County pushes forward with plans to upgrade the historic property. A significant milestone in this effort was reached when county commissioners approved a $1.89 million construction project earlier this month, which will include new concession and restroom facilities.
The renovations aim to modernize the 20.42-acre site while preserving its traditional role as a hub for community events, such as quilt shows, fish fries, and antique sales. This phase of improvements builds on years of planning and investment since the county acquired the property in 2023.
New construction to support diverse events
A key element of the redevelopment is a 3,244-square-foot building designed to enhance the functionality of the Rigdon Center. The new structure will include two catering kitchens, a concession kitchen for all-day food and beverage sales, and updated restrooms with access from indoor and outdoor areas.
"This is a great addition to our Phase 1 project", said Deputy County Administrator Craig Coffey. "This will add a huge component to making the facility very functional."
To minimize costs, the county will directly purchase major materials, including the metal building, concrete, HVAC units, and kitchen equipment. Joy Gordon Construction has been contracted for $1.51 million to complete the project, which is fully funded by bed tax tourism dollars, according to Coffey.
A community resource preserved
The journey to revitalize the Rigdon Center began in 2020, when the site faced an uncertain future. Initially, the Fort Walton Beach City Council considered declaring the property as surplus. However, by 2022, county officials decided to acquire the site, citing its location, size, and potential use during hurricanes or emergencies.
In June 2023, the county finalized the purchase for $4.05 million, utilizing revenue from the 5% bed tax on overnight lodging. Commissioner Trey Goodwin emphasized the importance of preserving the site as a community asset.
"We were able to leverage the resources in our county to preserve that property as a community asset", Goodwin said. "I think it’s really fulfilling that purpose."
The county’s total investment in the property now approaches $6 million to $7 million, with ongoing improvements guided by the seven-member Fairgrounds Advisory Committee. This panel, created in 2023, includes representatives appointed by commissioners, the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, and the Northwest Florida Fair Association.
"There is no better way to make sure we get this right than to have a community stakeholder advisory committee", Goodwin said at the time of its formation.
Progress and plans for the future
Since taking ownership, Okaloosa County has already addressed numerous maintenance issues stemming from years of neglect. Parks Director Jeff Peters noted that while many of the buildings are structurally sound, they had suffered from outdated electrical systems, condensation, leaks, and other functional problems.
"They had good bones", Peters said. "But failing systems, leaks, condensation, and outdated electrical systems made them hard to use."
To date, approximately $1.5 million has been invested in improvements, including new HVAC systems, underground electrical service, modern fire alarms, lighting upgrades, and roofing repairs. The facility’s largest indoor venue, Building B, offers 12,000 square feet of space and is being positioned as a complement to the Destin–Fort Walton Beach Convention Center.
Okaloosa County Tourism Director Jennifer Adams noted that the Rigdon Center is helping fill gaps left by the convention center, which has outgrown its capacity to host certain events.
"We’ve outgrown the convention center", Adams said during a recent meeting. She highlighted opportunities for the Rigdon Center to host cheer competitions, tournaments, and large gatherings that previously bypassed the county.
Balancing tradition and modernization
County officials emphasize their commitment to maintaining accessibility for local organizations while upgrading the property. Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel underscored the importance of keeping rental costs reasonable.
"I’ve had so many complaints over the years that the convention center costs so much money that it has run our locals out", Ketchel said. "Please do everything you can to keep the cost down."
With multi-year contracts already being booked, the Rigdon Center remains a focal point for traditional community gatherings, including Vietnam veterans’ events, local celebrations, and fish fries.
"It’s still going to be the fairgrounds", said Public Information Officer Nick Tomecek. "It’s just going to be better."
Next steps in redevelopment
As part of the ongoing Phase 1 improvements, additional upgrades are already in progress. Bids for facade and entrance enhancements are nearing completion, while flooring bids have been received. An audio-visual technology package is also expected to come before commissioners in early 2026. Renovations will continue in stages, with efforts made to minimize disruptions to scheduled events.
"This is an investment that will last generations", Tomecek said, highlighting the long-term benefits of the project.
With the Rigdon Center’s revitalization well underway, Fort Walton Beach residents can look forward to a modernized venue that honors its community roots while adapting to future needs.
