Florida Panthers Open New Practice Facility at Fort Lauderdale's War Memorial

The renovated 73-year-old building, now named The Baptist Health IcePlex, offers state-of-the-art amenities and is closer to many players' homes.

The Florida Panthers have opened their new practice facility at the War Memorial in downtown Fort Lauderdale, more than 2 1/2 years after the team started remodeling the 73-year-old building.
The facility, formally named The Baptist Health IcePlex at FTL War Memorial, includes two sheets of ice, a restaurant, 1,000 seats for fans to watch practices, retail space, and an outdoor concert venue.
The original plan was to spend $65 million on the renovation, but the final cost was significantly higher. The facility is not yet fully completed, with a formal grand opening set for early 2024.
Many Panthers players live closer to the War Memorial site than to the team's former practice home, with some even driving golf carts to work.
Panthers president and CEO Matthew Caldwell and owner Vincent Viola, both graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point, were approached by Fort Lauderdale city officials to update the War Memorial and quickly agreed.