Crestview High School hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, to officially open its new multipurpose building.

• The building is the latest project funded by the voter-supported Half-Cent Sales Tax, which has brought significant improvements to schools throughout Okaloosa County.

The new facility follows the completion of an eight-classroom addition earlier this year, which was also celebrated with a ribbon-cutting in January. Principal Victoria Hayden expressed her excitement about the benefits the building will bring to the school.

“This building allows us to meet the needs of multiple groups at once,” said Hayden. “We can hold several PE classes in the space during the day, and our athletic trainer has a central location so all sports teams can access her, whether they’re on the field or in the gym.”

The multipurpose building will be used not just for athletics, but for a variety of school and community events. Hayden says that groups like ROTC, band, and dance will also make use of the space.

• “Our ROTC program can now practice indoors when it’s raining, and we’ve hosted art shows and other performances here,” she added. Hayden also noted that every class period makes use of the building, and after school, multiple student groups use the space simultaneously.

The building has already proven to be a resource for the community. Hayden explained that Davidson Middle School used the facility over the summer while their gym was under repair. Crestview High also held an end-of-year event in the new building, while another event was taking place in the school’s auditorium at the same time.

Superintendent Marcus Chambers highlighted the significance of the Half-Cent Sales Tax, which is now in its fourth year.

• “This half-cent sales tax has been a game changer for our district,” Chambers said. “At Crestview alone, we have this new multipurpose building, the classroom addition, and an expanded cafeteria. Across the district, we’ve been able to make important upgrades like new roofs and air conditioning systems. None of this would have been possible without the support of the community.”

Chambers also stressed the importance of the facility for all students, not just athletes. “This isn’t just a sports facility. It’s a space for everyone—ROTC, band, cheer, dance, and more,” he said. “We are so grateful to the citizens who voted for this tax. It’s making a real difference for our students and schools.”

Crestview students are already making full use of the new facility. “The students are proud of what we’ve been able to do here,” Hayden said. “They’ve come to me with ideas about how to use the space, and it’s exciting to see how they want to make the most of it.”

The new multipurpose building, along with other recent improvements, reflects the ongoing growth and upgrades happening at Crestview High School. Additional projects, such as a new parking lot, are planned for the future.