Category winners were recognized at an award ceremony at the 1999 South Florida Disabilities EXPO on October 3.
The BankAtlantic Center, home to the NHL Florida Panthers, opened in October 1998. Called a “model of accessibility” by the U.S. Department of Justice, the center also plays host to hockey, soccer, arena football, boxing and other special events.
The elegant exterior has been compared to an opera house. Ellerbe Becket, the arena’s designer, worked with an accessibility consultant as well as local and national accessibility advocacy groups.
Total accessible seating exceeds required amounts, with 356 seats for hockey and 398 seats for an end-stage concert. Each of the accessible seats provides enhanced sight lines.
Other accessibility features in the 872,000-sq.ft. (81,010 m2) arena:
- All 134 points of sale are fully accessible
- Three specialty restaurants/bars are fully accessible
- Six guest service stations, four ATMs, 40 pay phones and 30 ticket windows meet required accessibility standards
- 95 parking spaces for people with disabilities, including van parking and patron drop-off areas
- Toilet counts far exceed requirements, with 274 toilets in 31 women’s rest rooms and 72 toilets and 156 urinals in 27 men’s rooms, along with five family rest rooms
Completed in 26 months, BankAtlantic Center was designed and constructed faster than any other professional sports arena in history.
An innovator since its founding, Ellerbe Becket provides integrated architecture, engineering, interiors, planning and construction services from 12 office locations worldwide. The firm is celebrating its 90th anniversary during 1999.
