PARKS+REC

Fort Walton Beach approves $2.45 million for Phase 2 of Landing Park improvements

The Fort Walton Beach City Council unanimously approved the contract for Phase 2 of the Fort Walton Landing Improvements to GLC Contracting, Inc. during their meeting on April 23, 2024.

• The project, which includes the construction of a covered band shell performance stage, tiered seating, lighting, and sidewalk concrete, is set to begin after the completion of Phase 1 in the second week of May.

City Manager Jeff Peters presented the details of the bidding process, stating that two vendors, GLC Contracting and Empire Builders Group, submitted bids on April 11, 2024.

GLC Contracting, the company currently working on Phase 1 of the improvements, submitted the lowest bid at $2,451,590.30.

Funding for Phase 2 will come from various sources, including RESTORE Act funding, Tourist Development Council (TDC) funds, Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) funds, and half-cent surtax revenues.

• The TDC has allocated $500,000 specifically for the construction of the stage.

The Landing Improvements project is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to revitalize the downtown area and enhance the waterfront park for residents and visitors alike.

THINGS TO DO

The Boardwalk to host 12th annual ‘Paddle at the Park’ race on May 11

The 12th Annual Paddle at the Park will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024, in the Gulf of Mexico behind The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island.

• The event, which is a standup paddleboard race, will offer a variety of races catering to participants of all ages and skill levels.

The races include 1- and 3-mile recreational races, a 6-mile elite race, and a kids’ fun out-and-back paddle. With staggered start times beginning at 9 a.m., the event will conclude with an awards ceremony.

Awards will be presented directly following the last race to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place overall winners, as well as the 1st place winner for 50+ in the following categories:

• 1-Mile Beginner – Men’s, Women’s, Men’s Inflatable, Women’s Inflatable
• 3-Mile Recreational – Men’s Displacement, Women’s Displacement, Men’s Surfstyle, Women’s Surfstyle
• 6-Mile Elite – Men’s Elite, Women’s Elite

The names of the top male and top female in the 6-Mile Race will be placed on the Destin SUP Cup. The overall top male and female in the 1-Mile, 3-Mile, and 6-Mile races will also win some awesome BOTE lifestyle products and gift cards from Saltwater Restaurants. The overall top male and female in the 6-Mile race will also win a Shibumi Shade Mini!

• The top boy and girl in the Kids Fun Paddle will win a BOTE Youth t-shirt and hat.

In addition to the races, the event will feature a festive atmosphere with displays and booths set up along the beach for both racers and spectators to enjoy.

Registration for the event is now open. Full race details are available at PaddleAtThePark.com, and updates can be found on the event’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/PaddleAtThePark.

The 12th Annual Paddle at the Park is made possible by the support of its partners, including The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island, Eglin Federal Credit Union, title sponsor HCA Florida Healthcare, and many more.

SCHOOL

Niceville High School student wins first place in annual Congressional App Challenge

Andrew Putman, a junior at Niceville High School, has been named the winner of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge in Florida’s First District.

• U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz announced Putman’s victory on November 18, 2023, at Northwest Florida State College.

Putman’s winning app, Assets4Kids, aims to alleviate child poverty. He was inspired to create the app after witnessing child poverty firsthand during a mission trip to the Dominican Republic.

As part of his recognition, Putman and his teacher, Carrie Foxhall, were invited by Congressman Gaetz to the Capital Building in Washington, D.C. Accompanied by his parents and Foxhall, Putman showcased Assets4Kids at the House of Code Reception on April 12.

“This was a great experience for me, and I’m really thankful I was able to go on this trip. I look forward to participating in the app challenge again next year,” Putman said, reflecting on his experience.

The Congressional App Challenge seeks to inspire, include, and innovate efforts around STEM, coding, and computer science education. Notably, this marks the fourth time a Niceville High School student has won the challenge in their district.

Superintendent Marcus Chambers expressed pride in Putman’s achievement, stating, “Our school district is fortunate to have talented students who continue to impress us. We are incredibly proud of Andrew’s outstanding achievement in developing a meaningful app to assist impoverished children. We are equally proud of his representation of our district and Career Technical Education (CTE) at a national level.”

NOW OPEN

Watersound welcomes retirees to new resort-style independent living community

Watersound Fountains, a new 148-apartment resort-style independent living community, has officially opened its doors to residents in Inlet Beach.

• The community, developed through a joint venture between The St. Joe’s Company, Watermark Retirement Communities, and BRW Origins, is the first free-standing independent living community in Watersound.

Located near the Watersound Origins community and less than a mile east of Scenic Highway 30A, Watersound Fountains offers a variety of amenities, including a swimming pool, fitness studio, salon and spa, wellness center, indoor golf simulator, and outdoor putting green.

The community also features four signature restaurants that serve a range of fare, from steaks and wine to casual grab-and-go meals, all prepared in-house daily.

“We are so excited to welcome residents to our brand new community,” said Melissa Adams, Executive Director of Watersound Fountains. “For many residents, this marks the next phase of retirement, where they can relax and rediscover their passions – or find new ones. Our proximity to Watersound Origins also means mom and dad can be close to family while maintaining their independence and living a meaningful and fulfilling life.”

Residents can enjoy unique programs such as the 360Well program, which offers opportunities for health, education, and exploration, as well as enriching classes through Watermark University and daytrips organized through the Extraordinary Outings program.

• The community also offers a 24-hour concierge to assist residents with reservations to local restaurants, theaters, galleries, and concerts. Concierge-style healthcare, including onsite medical clinics and in-home healthcare services, is available through a partnership with Curana Health.

Over the next several weeks, the first 20 residents will move into the community, including Gerry Mayes, who has vacationed in the Walton County area for years and moved from Oklahoma to be near her family full-time.

“I love being near my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and the amenities here at the community are wonderful,” said Mayes. “The staff is also so helpful and kind and I’ve loved meeting new people.”

Watersound Fountains is now open and taking reservations, with floor plans ranging from studio to two-bedroom apartments. For more information, visit https://watersound.watermarkcommunities.com.

NOW OPEN

Eglin Federal Credit Union opens new Pace branch

Eglin Federal Credit Union celebrated the opening of its new Pace Branch with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday. The branch, located at 4413 US-90, marks EFCU’s third location in Santa Rosa County.

The expansion comes after the National Credit Union Administration recently approved the credit union’s field of membership to include individuals who live, work, worship, or attend school, as well as businesses and legal entities, in specific areas within Santa Rosa County, Escambia County, Florida, and Escambia County, Alabama.

“There are approximately 15,000 members in Santa Rosa County, and we are looking forward to extending the benefits of membership to our new neighbors near our new Pace Branch,” said EFCU President/CEO Jerry Williams. “We chose this convenient location to provide easy access to affordable products and services as well as financial wellness resources that add value to this community.”

The Pace Branch, designed and built by La Macchia Group, spans approximately 4,400 square feet and features a new open branch design with a member engagement area equipped with interactive touch screen monitors.

• The full-service branch offers safe deposit boxes, a Coinstar® machine, night drop, touch screen video tellers, and drive-thru ATMs.

EFCU’s growth and expansion efforts also include the upcoming opening of the Freeport Branch and the completion of the Operations Center, expected this summer. The Navarre Branch opened nearly 17 years ago in August 2007, while the Gulf Breeze ATM/Video Teller location began operations in September 2023.

FISHING

Massive 888-pound bluefin tuna caught off Destin coast

by Anne Hinze

It took a dock effort to get the monster bluefin tuna caught on board the Flat Dangerous out the tuna door, under the dock and onto the scale behind Boshamps Oyster and Seafood Restaurant Wednesday night.

• Local captains and mates joined in to help push and drag the fish through the water and up a ramp and then hoisted it into the air to weigh it officially.

At 888 pounds, it’s the largest tuna ever caught in Florida. It won’t qualify for a state record as multiple people helped land the giant tuna- but as Miller Phillips, owner of Boshamps, said, “We don’t need a state record to celebrate this fish in Destin!”

The Flat Dangerous is an 80-foot Viking owned by Warren Williamson of Greenville, AL and captained by George Gill.

• “It was a pretty awesome day. Found a big school of them and broke off three of them before we got this one in the boat, “ said Captain George Gill. 

It was a team effort to land the tuna. Williamson credits mates Eddy Griffith, Dennis Bennett, John Balters and friend Kole with helping to land the fish. From start to finish it took about five hours from hook to getting it in the boat.

“It was a great day and a great crew,” Williamson said.

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