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There are moments when a city turns a page — when investments in recreation, community, and quality of life begin to show their value. Earlier this fall, Fort Lauderdale turned such a page with the debut of two remarkable lifestyle enhancements that reflect who we are and where we’re heading: the grand opening of The Fort pickleball center and the completion of renovations at the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center.
The work that was undertaken represents a bold statement about what it means to live in Fort Lauderdale. It also comes on the heels of other amenities that we’ve created, like the complete restoration of the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center with its 27-meter dive platform, the totally transformed War Memorial Auditorium, and the Baptist Health Iceplex, a sporting destination like no other.
The Fort pickleball center is truly a model for the rest of the nation and is right here in Fort Lauderdale.
Walk into the location, and you feel the energy immediately buzzing across the state-of-the-art courts, families settling in along the lakeside, and players of every age stepping into what has quickly become a premier pickleball destination.
The Fort is a $30 million public-private partnership. Built without a single tax dollar, it stands as a testament to what happens when vision aligns with community need. Owned by the city, The Fort features 43 courts, nearly 2,000 spectator seats, a lakefront beach, indoor-outdoor event space, and a full-service restaurant.
In its first year alone, it is expected to attract more than 500,000 visitors.
A legacy has been reborn at the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center.
The doors have reopened at this “Home of Champions” in Holiday Park — after a sweeping modernization that honors its storied past while preparing for the next generation of athletes.
What awaits players is nothing short of transformational: 20 clay courts with a modern sub-surface irrigation system, a 700-seat stadium court, enhanced LED lighting, 13 shade structures, 40 benches, three chilled drinking fountains, renovated restrooms, new fencing, fresh paint, and fully upgraded landscaping and irrigation systems.
Online reservations make booking simple, and expanded programs now serve children as young as 4.
In December, the world will once again look to Fort Lauderdale as a place for great tennis. We are hosting the Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships — one of the most prestigious junior tournaments globally.
This great renovation was accomplished through a partnership among the Orange Bowl, the United States Tennis Association, and the city of Fort Lauderdale. At a total investment of $9.5 million, the facility is elevated to international standards.
The opening of The Fort and Jimmy Evert show our city investing deeply in its people — in health, in connection, in active lifestyles. We are going to keep the progress going in the coming years with such upcoming plans like the new YMCA and park improvements across the community.
In other news, the city has numerous waterway initiatives underway. It’s been a major goal of the city to make sure they are safe, resilient, and clean.
We are the Venice of America, and our 165 miles of canals and the New River form the backbone of our economy, our neighborhoods, and our quality of life. Protecting them is both a responsibility and a point of civic pride.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has implemented a new year-round slow-speed, minimum-wake zone for a portion of the Intracoastal Waterway between the Oakland Park Boulevard Bridge and the Sunrise Boulevard Bridge.
The change is meant to reduce a public safety risk caused by vessel traffic congestion on that stretch of waterway. The new zone sits between two existing year-round idle-speed, no-wake zones that already cover the areas immediately around both bridges.
The city has completed mangrove plantings at Coontie Hatchee Park and George English Park. Fifty additional mangroves are being donated to the New River Middle School’s Eco Sharks Club through a partnership with the University of Florida. The club will nurture them until they are ready for future planting.
A 30-day overnight anchoring restriction has yielded positive results. Lake Sylvia had been home to some 25 anchored vessels, but now has only four remaining. Similar success has occurred in the Intracoastal north of Las Olas Boulevard and in Sunrise Bay.
We are expanding sewage pump-out opportunities. The city currently operates public pump-out stations to prevent sewage discharge and promote healthier waterways. We are adding a pump-out vessel that can come to boats needing service.
The city continues to collaborate with state partners to enhance water quality in the North Fork of the New River. And, we are planning to seek federal grant money to fund real-time water quality monitoring stations. These stations would continuously collect data on parameters including temperature, depth, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, chlorophyll, and blue-green algae.
Discussions are underway to develop a living seawall program to rebate permit fees. This would help offset costs to property owners who install living seawalls instead of traditional seawalls.
Together, these initiatives reinforce a core value in Fort Lauderdale. Our waterways are the lifeblood of our community, and the city is committed to ensuring they continue to shine for generations to come.
In closing, as we move into the holiday season, please keep in mind the wonderful slate of annual events the city produces this time of year. Events like Light up the Beach and the Downtown Countdown are great events for families and friends to come together and mark the season. I hope to see you there.
Yours,
Dean
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