The Wilderness Road Event Center is a project aimed at transforming an aging and disjointed regional facility into a modern and multi-functional space. The proposal will enhance the fairgrounds’ capacity to accommodate a diverse range of activities, catering to the needs of the local community and visitors alike. The renovation will feature several key elements, including a 50,000 square foot covered horse area, a 20,000 square foot enclosed event space, recreation fields, food truck hookups, a stage for music events, a new entrance and service drive, and a new parking lot capable of handling 500–800 cars.

The centerpiece of the renovation project will be a grand horse area utilizing a prefabricated steel building structure. The facility will also boast a versatile enclosed event space to serve as the hub for a wide range of local and regional events, such as trade shows, exhibitions, conferences, and community gatherings.

In May of 2025, a devastating tornado tore through the region, completely destroying all existing structures at the fairgrounds. This sudden loss underscored both the vulnerability of the community and the urgent need for a resilient, comprehensive master plan. In response, the design team mobilized quickly to envision and deliver a cohesive framework that not only replaced what was lost but also elevated the fairgrounds into a flexible, future-oriented asset. The project became more than a renovation—it was redefined as a critical effort to restore community identity, provide a safe and durable venue for gatherings, and establish an adaptable facility that could meet evolving needs for generations to come.

2025 AIA TAMPA BAY AWARD OF MERIT