Fresh ice in Fort Lauderdale!
After working the ground-breaking ceremony for the Florida Panthers’ new practice facility three years ago, Media Stage was excited to come full circle and provide the AV production for the ribbon-cutting ceremony last week! The beautiful new Baptist Health Iceplex located in downtown Fort Lauderdale is now built and fully operational. The venue is open to the public for youth hockey leagues, learn-to-skate/play programs, and of course, to house the Florida Panthers’ practices.
The team organized a grand opening celebration hosted by TV play-by-play analyst Steve “Goldie” Goldstein which featured remarks from team President & CEO Matthew Caldwell, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and local leadership of Broward County. A stage was set up within an outdoor tent under which all the guests were seated.
Our AV complement included a center LED wall for video display to ensure ample brightness for content to be visible outside. We also positioned additional monitors throughout the tent that received the same signal. The show consisted of IMAG, video rolls, and sponsor/logo slides.
Our crew built out the full-scale PA and mic system along with some general stage wash to light presenters and enhance camera shots. Our lighting operator and assists affixed each of the fixtures directly onto the beams of the tent.
After the much-anticipated countdown and cutting of the ceremonial ribbon, guests were invited inside to browse the brand-new expansive team store, view the multiple state-of-the-art ice rinks, and enjoy a reception on the upper level of the facility. We positioned some up-lights and movers around these areas for added ambience.
On the same day of the ceremony, there was also an exhibition game held between the Wounded Warriors and the Fort Lauderdale Fire and Police Departments. For this, we supplemented the new in-house video board system with camera shots and graphics overlays from our two-camera and switching package.
We are continuously grateful for our long-running partnership with the Florida Panthers and wish them all the best down the final stretch of the regular season and into the NHL Playoffs!