In my time as Mayor, our partnerships with the sporting world have brought global attention to Fort Lauderdale, bringing an economic boom for local businesses and new recreational opportunities for residents.

Imagine, we have two of the best teams in the world playing for our city! This year, Inter Miami has already reached the playoffs with superstar Leo Messi just after the Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup.

The innovative partnerships we made with local teams are transforming our city – at no cost to the taxpayers. Both facilities provide space for residents to play, expand connectivity for our community, and share a winning culture with Fort Lauderdale’s families.

As part of these transformations, the historic War Memorial Auditorium is being revitalized, and the Baptist Health IcePlex has been built next door in Holiday Park. This acts as the Panthers’ training rink, but there is also a public rink where young people can learn to ice skate to make the sports more inclusive. The auditorium will soon reopen for concerts, graduations and family-friendly events.

The War Memorial site once cost the city millions in maintenance, repairs, and operational expenses each year, but not anymore. Now, the Panthers cover the costs. And as part of our arrangement with the team, it’s under the stewardship of the veteran-owned and -led Panthers, serving as an honored tribute to Broward’s military heroes.

We also reimagined the Lockhart Stadium site, working together with residents and David Beckham’s Major League Soccer Inter Miami franchise, constructing the magnificent Chase Stadium in record time. It’s part of a larger $160 million redevelopment entirely paid for by the team. The deal also ensured it’s used for community-building with the team’s free youth training academy, a public football stadium, training facilities, and athletic fields where concerts and athletic events for Fort Lauderdale and Stranahan high schools are held. We are also hopeful women’s soccer will play here in the future.

This is just the beginning!

These visionary agreements happened thanks to quick and decisive actions by our City. We are proud to have enhanced the way we live and play in Fort Lauderdale.

Dean