Overwhelming support for War Memorial project

I chaired the private effort to support the recent Fort Lauderdale Parks Bond Issue passage and I felt it was necessary to strongly disagree with a negative letter to the editor about the Florida Panthers’ new public ice facility for Holiday Park.

First, the project is a new public parks amenity and family destination for public skating, (that we don’t have in Fort Lauderdale) youth hockey, and a multitude of other indoor activities.

Second, the War Memorial Auditorium will be fully renovated, which is long past due, to its former glory as a fitting tribute to our veterans.

Third, the capital ($45 million) and operating dollars are funded by the Panthers and thus the Parks Bond Issue dollars will go much further to support other park needs.

Fourth, this project utilizes an unused area of the park (five of 93 acres) at the rear of the War Memorial.

Fifth, the lawsuit referenced primarily objects to alleged impacts on walking trails, which, in fact, will continue to connect after the project’s completion.

Sixth, the project enhances the park by adding significant landscaping, adding 100 new canopy trees.

Finally, this project has had overwhelming community support following many public meetings, community meetings, public hearings, parks board meetings, and culminating in the City Commission approval in which every speaker supported the new plan.

Jim Ellis, Fort Lauderdale