Take a tour of Florida Panthers’ Fort Lauderdale practice facility, now open to the public

The Florida Panthers have already called the Baptist Health IcePlex at FTL War Memorial their new practice home for about three months.

Now, the complex is ready for the public.

The Panthers on Wednesday held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the formal opening of the facility. Among those in attendance for the ceremony included Michael Viola, son of Panthers owner Vincent Viola; Panthers president and CEO Matt Caldwell; Panthers general manager Bill Zito; Bo Boulenger, president and CEO of Baptist Health South Florida; Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis; and Fort Lauderdale District 2 commissioner Steven Glassman.

“This project is a true success story of when the public and private sector work together to create something to benefit and impact our local community,” Caldwell said. “With these additional two sheets of ice in Fort Lauderdale, we truly are expanding the Panthers footprint from the Everglades to the beach. This rink is a welcoming environment for anyone to participate in the diverse list of youth and adult programming, shop at the retail store and enjoy a day in Holiday Park.”

The IcePlex will open to the general public starting Thursday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. with afternoon and evening programming each day for the remainder of March.

The 144,000 square-foot facility features:

▪ Two NHL-regulation sized ice rinks (Baptist Health Rink and SeatGeek Rink) including five curling lanes, a 26-foot by 15-foot LED display and color kinetic lighting. There is seating to fit up to 1,000 fans.

▪ A 7,500 square-foot retail location and dedicated hockey and figure skating pro shop.

▪ Three food and beverage on-site options including grab-and-go kiosks, concession stands and, eventually, a full-service restaurant and bar with outdoor patio.

▪ Three multi-use party rooms.

▪ 11 locker rooms.

Want a glimpse at what the facility looks like? Check out photos from the Miami Herald’s Jose A. Iglesias below.