|
Year Opened |
1998 |
| Capacity |
19,250 |
|
Architect |
Ellerbe Becket |
| Web Site |
http://www.bankatlanticcenter.com/ |
| Phone |
954/835-8000 |
|
Anchor Tenants |
Florida Panthers
(NHL) |
| Parking |
Several lots
surround the stadium. You will be led to
park depending on how you drove to the
facility. |
|
Directions |
One Panther
Parkway, Sunrise, FL 33323. From West Palm
Beach: Take I-95 to the SW 10th Street exit
and proceed West to the Sawgrass Expressway
(SR 869 - toll road) OR the Florida Turnpike
South to the Sawgrass Expressway (SR 869-
toll road). Take the Sawgrass Expressway
South to the Oakland Park Boulevard exit.
After toll plaza, make a left turn onto
Oakland Park Boulevard and proceed to the
far right lane. Make a right turn onto
Flamingo Road. Proceed on Flamingo Road in
either of the two right lanes for one block
and make a right turn at the traffic signal
onto Panther Parkway (136th Ave.). Office
Depot Center is a 1/2 mile South on the
right. Stay in the far right lanes and enter
through GATE 3. Park as directed. From The
North: Take the Sawgrass Expressway South to
the Oakland Park Boulevard exit. After toll
plaza, make a left turn onto Oakland Park
Boulevard and proceed to the far right lane.
Make a right turn onto Flamingo Road.
Proceed on Flamingo Road in either of the
two right lanes for one block and make a
right turn at the traffic signal onto
Panther Parkway (136th Ave.). Office Depot
Center is a 1/2 mile South on the right.
Stay in the far right lanes and enter
through GATE 3. From The South: Take the
Sawgrass Expressway North to the Pat Salerno
Drive exit. Proceed through the toll plaza
and stay in the far right 2 lanes. Exit to
the right at Pat Salerno Drive directly into
Office Depot Center at GATE 1 or GATE 2.
From Fort Lauderdale: Take I-595 West to
Exit 1 (136th Ave.) and proceed North. 136th
Ave will eventually turn into Panther
Parkway. Office Depot Center is one mile
North of Sunrise Boulevard on the left. Stay
in the left lane and enter through GATE 7.
From The South: Take the Palmetto Expressway
or Florida Turnpike Extension to Interstate
75 North to the Sawgrass Expressway. (Follow
signs for Sawgrass Expressway, West Palm
Beach and Coral Springs). Enter the Sawgrass
Expressway and proceed through the toll
plaza and stay in the far right 2 lanes.
Exit to the right at Pat Salerno Drive
directly into Office Depot Center at GATE 1
or GATE 2. From I-95: Take I-95 North or
South to I-595 and follow directions from
I-595. |
History
The team was founded in 1993, but the Office
Depot Center, one of the larges NHL venues, was
completed in 1998. This arena is not just the
home of the Florida Panthers, but also the Miami
Jackals, a roller-hockey team, many music
concerts, WWE World Wrestling Championships,
Monster Jam Truck Racing, Disney on Ice, and
much more entertainment.
Surprisingly reaching but losing the Stanley Cup
in 1996, the Panthers brought popularity to
hockey in Florida. Once the Panthers threatened
to move the team, Florida built them a new
arena, which was once known as the National Car
Rental Center. The playoffs were once again a
reality for the Panthers in 2000, but they
eventually lost in the first round to the would
be Stanley Cup Champions New Jersey Devils.
Being in sunny Florida, there are plenty of
excellent balcony and patio locations to enjoy
the weather between periods. This is a
outstanding arena to make your way early and see
the sights before the puck drops.
