Local quilt shows, antique sales and fish fries will soon have access to upgraded facilities at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds — now officially known as the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Rigdon Center — after Okaloosa County commissioners unanimously approved a construction contract for a new concession and restroom building.
- The project carries a total cost of $1,892,910 – a figure corrected during the Jan. 6 meeting after Tourism Director Jennifer Adams discovered a clerical error in the agenda packet that omitted approximately $21,000 for kitchen hood equipment.
Joy Gordon Construction will handle the work under a $1,505,553 contract, with the county directly purchasing materials including the metal building, concrete, air conditioning units and kitchen equipment to save on taxes and markups.
“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.”
The 3,244-square-foot structure will house two catering kitchens that can operate independently or together, a concession kitchen for all-day food and drink sales during events, and additional restrooms accessible from both indoor event halls and outdoor areas.
Commissioner Sherri Cox asked directly whether Okaloosa County taxpayers would shoulder any of the cost.
- “It’s all 100% bed tax tourism dollars,” Coffey confirmed.
The county purchased the Rigdon Center from the City of Fort Walton Beach for slightly more than $4 million several years ago, with total investment now approaching $6-7 million. At the time of purchase, Chairman Trey Goodwin noted, the facility’s future was uncertain and could have been sold for private development.
“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.”
Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel supported the project but urged staff to keep rental costs affordable for local organizations.
“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 so that our local vendors are given deference to be able to use this facility.”
Adams responded that several events have already migrated from the convention center to the Rigdon Center, and the facility is now booking multi-year contracts.
The center’s two main event buildings can accommodate roughly 900 and 600 people respectively. Community events currently hosted there include Vietnam veterans gatherings, fish fries and various celebrations.
Additional Phase 1 improvements are in the pipeline. Facade and entrance upgrades are nearly ready for bidding, flooring bids have been received, and an audio-visual technology package will come before commissioners in early 2026.
