Critics were hoping a public outcry would stop Fort Lauderdale from moving forward with a controversial plan to replace beachside basketball courts with pickleball courts.

So far, that’s not happening.

Fort Lauderdale officials say the matter was decided nearly two years ago when the commission agreed to the plan as part of the $2 billion redevelopment of Bahia Mar.

Under the deal with Bahia Mar, the city is required to convert the existing basketball courts into at least two public pickleball courts by January 2027.

After months of research, city officials have come up with what they think is the best spot for two new basketball courts. Under the current plan, they will be built on the sand at the far south end of the beach just north of the B Ocean Resort, several hundred yards from

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