Happy 70th Anniversary Posted on December 28, 2023 at 12:16:51 PM by benny b
It began more than 70 years ago on a quiet, tranquil plot of land where tomatoes were grown. Then, construction began on an impressive structure, only the second in the state to house this ancient sport of the Basques. It was to become one of the top tourist destinations in South Florida and the finest jai-alai fronton in the world.
It was The Dania Jai-Alai fronton.
During construction, the fronton had to overcome delays and litigation. There was a lawsuit by the Miami Fronton, which claimed that the issuance of a new pari-mutuel permit to Dania Jai Alai violated a state law which prohibited the operation of a fronton within a 20-mile radius of another fronton.
The Miami group submitted a map which measured the distance as 18.5 miles “as the crow flies.” The Dania group, however, said the distance was more than 20 miles when measured by road travel over the shortest highway route.
The Florida Supreme Court upon making their decision decreed that Jai-Alai customers “weren’t crows” and allowed the fronton to keep its permit.
On December 28, 1953, the fledgling fronton opened its doors to an opening day attendance of 4,127 fans. Dania Jai-Alai quickly became known for its first-class facility and was called “The Dania Jai-Alai Palace.”
Ladies in long gowns and gentlemen in jackets were the order of the evening. Dania was the only fronton in the world that had a butler to greet its customers.
Soon, celebrities performing on Miami Beach became frequent visitors to Dania Jai-Alai. From Debbie Reynolds to Joe Namath, Dania was “THE” place to be. Buddy Hackett, Gene Hackman, Larry King, Jerry Lewis, and Art Garfunkel made a bet or two at “The Palace.”
Over the years, Dania Jai-Alai went through various expansions adding areas to handle the overflow crowds, with the biggest renovation in 1979, that included a beautiful Clubhouse Restaurant overlooking a new playing court.
Few people realize what Dania Jai-Alai has meant to this community economically. In its 70 years of doing business in the area, tens of thousands of people have been employed at the fronton. Dania Jai-Alai’s expenditures over the years that benefited local businesses are in the tens of millions of dollars. Plus, local charities have received generous contributions from the South Florida pari-mutuel facility.
Seventy years... players names have changed, Slots, entertainment, poker and simulcasting have been added to the mix, yet it is still “The Palace.”
Happy 70th Anniversary Dania Beach Jai-Alai.
