Children from the L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center programs helped usher in the newly opened Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale. Members of the Panthers organization taught the kids how to ice skate, and Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis warmly welcomed the group as part of an initiative promoting physical activity. The National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention launched the “Move with the Mayor” program.
The state-of-the-art Baptist Health IcePlex is part of the revitalization of the historic FTL War Memorial. The 44,000-square-foot facility features two regulation-sized indoor ice rinks, including a dedicated public rink offering a robust variety of youth and adult hockey programs, public skating, and figure skating for community members of all ages. It is also home to Pantherland powered by FLA Team Shop, a 7,500 square foot Florida Panthers flagship retail location, and a dedicated hockey and figure skating pro shop, including multiple fan engagement points and immersive features. Also on site are three multi-use party rooms and three food and beverage options, including ‘The Federal,’ a full-service restaurant and bar with an outdoor patio.
“We are excited to open the Baptist Health IcePlex to the public. Through an innovative partnership with the Florida Panthers, the city of Fort Lauderdale has brought new recreational opportunities to its residents as well as provided a base of operations in our community for the professional hockey team,” Trantalis says. “Families can now enjoy ice skating and other ice sports within our own community for the first time. We look forward to the continuation of this great relationship with the Panthers.”
