In a fierce public protest, Fort Lauderdale is rethinking plans to destroy the popular basketball court on the beach to create space for pickle balls.
Mayor Dean Trantalis says the city is currently investigating the possibility of preserving basketball courts or moving to another location on the beach, but he couldn’t say exactly where.
“I don’t know what the solution is, but I can evaluate this and come up with a solution that can be addressed to everyone,” Trantalis told Sun Sentinel in South Florida. “Whether basketball is away from the beach or moves to another part of the beach, we don’t want to let basketball go off the beach. There’s a solution there and we’ll find it. It doesn’t have to be a public debate. We listen to the community and respond.”
But some are skeptical and the city will find new homes in the sand for hoops.
The city plans to turn the basketball court into a public pickleball court by January 2027, based on an agreement with the developer with Baia Maa earlier last year.
Most people didn’t know about the plan until last week that the signing came up with the news that “Suddenly Come: Conversion to a Basketball Court” news.
The news shocked many people and sparked a stream of raging reactions on social media.
One group of players has issued a flyer asking for public assistance to save the court.
“For decades, these courts have been cultural landmarks that are places where communities gather, hoops and atmosphere gather,” the notice says. “Look up to the Fort Lauderdale Beach Basketball Court at 5:30pm on May 1st to show your love and speak up. Bring your team, have a voice and protect this space. Let the court live.”
Known as a friendly spot for pickup games, the court has developed an atmosphere of friendship among players of all ages and from all walks of life. The spirit of friendship leads to lifelong friendships, with players going to each other’s weddings and sometimes to funerals.
The Beach Ballers had posted a petition on change.org, which had received more than 2,700 signatures by Thursday afternoon.
“Our precious beach basketball court in Fort Lauderdale has served as a haven for the majority of communities of minorities, children and tourists from various corners of the country over the years,” the petition said. “This court retains its historical significance as a unique and unique environment on the East Coast where people gather to enjoy the spirit of basketball. However, city officials plan to transform this iconic court into a pickle court and ignore its existing role in the city’s cultural and social fabric.”
LeoLorenz, a Fort Lauderdale resident and one of the founders of the Beach Ballers, said he plays at least three times a week in court.
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“I turned 69 in August and I’m playing with my 20-year-old,” he said. “That’s kind of weird. They call me a ‘legend’. ”
Lorenz says that if the court is destroyed, the atmosphere of that section of the beach changes dramatically.
“These basketball courts are so iconic that all the tourists come and see us there,” he said. “They take photos. It’s a tourist attraction. You’ll find people from all over to watch the games.”
When it was said that the city was considering finding a new location for the basketball court, Lorenz was skeptical.
“They say they’re going to put their basketball court elsewhere, but that’s never going to end,” he said. “It’s easier to have a pickleball court right in. A basketball court costs more money to get in. And they have to destroy the basketball courts that are already there.”
Commissioner Steve Glassman said the agreement made last year clearly stated that existing basketball courts would convert to the pickleball court.
“The agreement says it’s in the same footprint,” Glassman said. “The city will simply change its contract with approval from the Bahia Mar Community Development District. We are exploring the possibility of finding another location on the sand basketball court.”
Under the contract, the city will need to convert existing basketball courts into pickleball courts and install new outdoor fitness equipment. Bahia Mar Community Development District has agreed to draft a bill based on the $1 million cap.
The mayor insisted that the city would find a way to accommodate a close-knit community of basketball players.
“I don’t want to replace basketball,” Trantalis said. “This is all about being a beach for public purposes. Let’s work with the Parks and Recreation Department to find the best way to respect requests from the community to keep basketball alive. I think city staff can do this.”
