Bank Atlantic Center, Sunrise, Florida

Bank Atlantic Center is one of the arenas in Florida. This particular arena is located in Sunrise, Florida near Fort Lauderdale. The arena is accessible from Sawgrass Expressway. Home to the Florida Panthers and the Florida Pit Bulls, the Bank Atlantic Center arena is a popular destination for Florida residents. This sports arena is fairly new, having finished construction on it in 1998. The center cost was $185 million. Inside the arena are 70 suites and 2,300 clubs seats.

SMG World owns and operates the center. In 1993 it was determined the Fort Lauderdale area would need an arena, especially for the hockey team. Alex Muxo had a hand in selecting the architects, engineers and contractors for the building. Since time was a concern SMG World worked to find the best team to get the building completed. Many of the suites have wet bars, closed circuit television and comfortable leather seats. The suites are about 650 square feet.

Bank Atlantic Center hosts regular events each season. The Panthers, Pitt Bulls, and Bobcats all have their home games at the arena. The Orange Bowl Basketball Classic is hosted at the arena every December. They also have an All Star Game with the ABA and NHL. Since the facility has opened other events have been held there. Bank Atlantic Center has had the Bee Gees, Dave Matthews Band, U2, Phil Collins, Guns N' Roses, The Who, Miley Cyrus, Madonna, and Iron Maiden.

For other sports at the arena there is boxing, martial arts, and wrestling. In 1999 there was a Bash at the Beach, Armageddon, and other events relating to the WWE. Each year the arena tries to bring in new acts that will fit the demographics of the area. Florida is largely a retirement community, but the Fort Lauderdale area is home to many young people as well.

There are plans for future development of the arena. The plan is to eliminate some of the parking at the arena. By removing one of the parking lots developers will be able to build high rise apartments, restaurants, and retail businesses. To fix the amount of parking they will be taking away, the developers will build an underground parking garage.

The capacity at the Bank Atlantic Center arena varies depending on the event being held there. For example seating at the basketball games is over 20,000, hockey is 19,000, end stage concerts vary between 15,000 and 21,000, and center stage concerts can hold 22,400. Total the arena has 17,000 square feet of floor space which can be used for trade shows, circuses, ice shows, and almost any event one can think off.

At the moment parking can hold up to 7,045 vehicles. Options for food at the Bank Atlantic Center include two levels of concessions. The first level is at the plaza with 3 food courts and Pantherland Retail. The Mezzanine level also has 3 food courts, and two points for kiosk purchases. Concessions are typical with hot dogs, pizza, popcorn, and other items.