FTL War Memorial facts for kids
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| Full name | FTL War Memorial |
|---|---|
| Former names | War Memorial Auditorium (1950–2024) |
| Address | 800 NE 8th Street Fort Laudedale, FL |
| Location | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 26°8′0.7454″N 80°8′2.4875″W / 26.133540389°N 80.134024306°W |
| Type | Multi-purpose arena Convention center |
| Genre(s) | Concerts Sporting events Ice Hockey Ice Skating |
| Capacity | 3,400 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1950 |
| Renovated | 1983, 2006, 2024 |
| Expanded | 2024 |
| Tenants | |
| Florida Panthers (2024–present) | |
The FTL War Memorial is a cool place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. It's a big building with 3,400 seats that can be used for many things. You can watch sports, enjoy concerts, and even go ice skating here!
For many years, the FTL War Memorial was a popular spot for exciting events. From 1951 to 1987, it hosted professional wrestling matches. It also saw professional boxing events starting in 1950.
Contents
Baptist Health IcePlex: A New Era
The Florida Panthers, a professional ice hockey team, started leasing the FTL War Memorial in 2019. They had big plans to make it even better for the community. The building went through a major upgrade in two parts.
Stage One: IcePlex Opens
The first part of the renovation finished in early 2024. This is when the Baptist Health IcePlex opened its doors. Now, the Florida Panthers team can practice here. It's also open for everyone in the community to enjoy ice skating!
Stage Two: Concert Venue Reopens
The second part of the renovation is expected to be completed in late 2024 or early 2025. After this, the concert area of the FTL War Memorial will open again. This means more live music and shows for everyone to enjoy!
What's Inside the IcePlex?
The Baptist Health IcePlex is now the official practice home for the Florida Panthers. It has lots of cool features:
- Two ice rinks for skating and hockey:
- The Seat Geek Rink
- The Baptist Health Rink
- Locker rooms and places to rent skates
- A full-service restaurant and bar called The Federal
- Pantherland powered by FLA Team Shop, where you can buy Panthers gear and hockey equipment
- Quick and easy Grab and Go food options
- Offices for the Florida Panthers team, along with special rooms for players to get ready, recover, and train
Fun Community Activities
The Baptist Health IcePlex isn't just for the pros! It offers many fun activities for the community:
- Watch Parties: You can cheer on the Panthers during their playoff games with other fans.
- Open Practices: See the Florida Panthers team practice up close.
- Public Skating: Everyone can come and enjoy ice skating.
- Hockey Programs: Learn how to play ice hockey.
- Learn to Skate Programs: Perfect for beginners who want to learn how to glide on ice.
- Figure Skating Programs: For those who want to learn artistic skating moves.
- Curling: Try out this unique sport on the ice.
- Special Events: You can even host corporate events and birthday parties here!
