On January 9, 2024, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission did what they do best: give away another piece of our city.
In a vote that centered around the conveyance of “air rights” for the Bahia Mar project — air rights, mind you, above public land — the Commission also approved an Interlocal Agreement. In it, the Bahia Mar Community Development District promised to add two public pickleball courts “south of the pedestrian bridge on the existing basketball court.”
There’s just one problem.
There are no basketball courts south of the pedestrian bridge. The only public basketball courts in the area are east of A1A, on the beach, in Fort Lauderdale Beach Park. Courts that, for decades, have served residents and tourists alike. Courts that offer a place for pickup games, community events, and yes, a space for local kids who don’t have memberships at the fancy yacht club or private condos.
AND BAHIA MAR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
And now, those are the courts will be torn up to make way for pickleball.
No public debate since no one knew this was the intention of the Interlocal Agreement. No real notice. Just a quiet sign going up last weekend: “COMING SOON BASKETBALL COURT CONVERSION TO PICKLEBALL”
A City Sold Out One Court, One Park, One Neighborhood at a Time
The Bahia Mar deal was already controversial. A historic waterfront site owned by the public turned into a playground for luxury towers with a few token nods to public use thrown in.
In reality? It’s the slow gentrification of the beach, one that pushes working-class residents and community amenities further and further out. It’s hard to ignore the racial and socio-economic undertones, given that basketball courts have historically been more inclusive spaces, while pickleball — rightly or wrongly — has developed a reputation as a sport geared toward affluent, older, and overwhelmingly white demographics.
The removal of public basketball courts in favor of pickleball, particularly on the beach, sends a message, intended or not.
It tells you who this city is being remade for.
It tells you whose recreational needs matter.
And it tells you who is being pushed to the sidelines.
Pickleball, Pickleball Everywhere
Fort Lauderdale’s current Commission, particularly Commissioner Steve Glassman of District 2, has been infatuated with pickleball. It’s been pushed at almost every park in the city and has been talked about at nearly every open space left in the city.
No one’s saying pickleball doesn’t deserve facilities. It’s a fast-growing, popular sport, and there’s plenty of demand. But why does “adding pickleball” always seem to mean taking away something else?
Why not build new courts instead of repurposing the only public basketball courts we have on the beach?
Why not invest in real multi-use spaces that serve different demographics, not just whichever group is trending?
Why was there no real public discussion before handing over these courts?
I guess they figure the future owners of the St. Regis would rather serve pickleballs than see local kids shooting hoops.