Last week we drove to Holiday Park to check out the new restaurant, The Federal, that overlooks the Florida Panthers practice rink. We got there a little before noon and were delighted (at least I was) to see the players slapping shots on the rink. Just seeing a large oval of ice in the middle of Fort Lauderdale was impressive enough. I know people at the nearby tennis center were opposed to the complex when it was approved, but I think the resulting building is an excellent addition to downtown. A major sports team practicing in its heart gives Fort Lauderdale a big city feel. Now, instead of driving all the way out to Sunrise, residents can pull off Federal Highway, park under a tree, and enter for free a building in which some of the world’s greatest hockey players are honing their skills. This, along with another Stanley Cup run, will surely win the team new fans.
(We didn’t stay to eat, but I’m planning to go back one evening to watch a game, where the atmosphere, I imagine, will be as close to that at the arena as one can get.)
