Need an event venue near Lauderdale Lakes for a family milestone or church gala? The Center for Spiritual Living rents event space at 4849 N. Dixie Highway in Oakland Park, about 12 minutes east of Lauderdale Lakes. Its Main Auditorium seats 275 auditorium-style or 110 for a seated dinner, the lobby holds 200 for a reception, and on-site parking fits 150 vehicles.
At a glance
- From Lauderdale Lakes: about 6.1 miles, about 12 minutes via Oakland Park Boulevard, I-95 and Commercial Boulevard (typical; traffic varies)
- Dinner seating: 110 at round tables in the 2,944 sq ft Main Auditorium
- Reception space: Welcome Lobby for up to 200 cocktail-style
- Smaller gatherings: Multipurpose Room for up to 70 cocktail-style
- Kitchen: included with the Main Auditorium or Multipurpose Room, with commercial coffee maker and two refrigerators
- Parking: on site for up to 150 vehicles
- Book: Jim Wood, Director of Operations, 954-566-2868
Why Lauderdale Lakes families and churches look to Oakland Park
Lauderdale Lakes was incorporated in 1961, and its center sits at the crossroads of U.S. 441 and Oakland Park Boulevard, according to the City of Lauderdale Lakes. It began as a retirement area for snowbirds, and by the end of the 20th century it had become a predominantly Caribbean and African American community.
The numbers make that heritage clear. In 2018, 50.5% of residents reported West Indian ancestry, the highest share in Broward County, and Jamaicans made up 25.4% of the population, the highest share in Florida. A 50th anniversary or a 70th birthday in a family with roots across the islands can easily mean cousins from three counties and relatives flying in from abroad. A living room will not hold that crowd.
Lauderdale Lakes borders Oakland Park to the east, so our venue on North Dixie Highway is a neighbor, not a trip. The Center for Spiritual Living Fort Lauderdale welcomes events of every kind and every background, and your event does not need to be spiritual.
How far is it from Lauderdale Lakes?
The typical drive from the middle of Lauderdale Lakes is about 6.1 miles and about 12 minutes. Most of it is a straight run east on West Oakland Park Boulevard (SR 816), then a short hop on I-95 and east on Commercial Boulevard (SR 870) to North Dixie Highway.
That estimate is measured from the city center and does not account for traffic, so a Friday evening start can take longer. Families coming from the U.S. 441 corridor will find the route easy to explain: get on Oakland Park Boulevard, head east to I-95 and exit at Commercial.
Guests coming from next door can check our notes on banquet space for Lauderhill groups, party space near North Lauderdale and event venues near Plantation.
Caribbean family milestones and church galas
Anniversaries, milestone birthdays and independence-day dinners
Big family celebrations need three things: enough seats, a place to dance or present, and a kitchen the caterer can actually use. The Main Auditorium handles all three. Thirteen 60-inch round tables seat 110 for dinner, the stage gives you room for a band, a DJ or a family tribute, and the kitchen is included with your rental at no additional charge.
An independence-day dinner for a family or a cultural association works the same way: dinner and toasts in the auditorium, with the Welcome Lobby set for arrivals and photos.
The city celebrates that culture itself. Its Carnival Weekend, held October 9 to 11 in 2026, celebrates Caribbean culture, music, food and community at local restaurants and businesses. A family reunion or an association dinner timed around that weekend gives out-of-town relatives one more reason to make the trip.
Church anniversaries, galas and conferences
If your congregation is planning a pastoral anniversary, a choir concert or an annual gala and the fellowship hall is too small for the big night, this is a natural next step. The Main Auditorium seats 275 auditorium-style for a worship concert or conference session and 110 at rounds for a banquet. The professional sound and video booth can project a program, record a guest speaker or stream to members who cannot attend.
A good gala format here: guests arrive into the Welcome Lobby for fellowship and photos, then move into the auditorium for dinner and the program. If you also need a quiet room for the choir or the honorees to gather, ask about adding the Multipurpose Room.
Repasts, celebrations of life and school banquets
About 17.3% of Lauderdale Lakes residents were 65 or older in 2020, and the city runs both a Senior Center and an Alzheimer’s Care Center. When a family needs a dignified room for a memorial or repast, it usually needs it quickly. The Multipurpose Room holds 50 auditorium-style for a small service, while the Main Auditorium can host a full celebration of life followed by a meal. Streaming lets family abroad take part.
The city is also young: 23.2% of residents were under 18 in 2020, and Boyd Anderson High School and St. Helen School are both in Lauderdale Lakes. Booster clubs, PTOs and alumni groups planning an awards banquet or reunion dinner can use the same 110-seat setup. You can read more about how we support local organizations on our community partners page.
Planning tip: For a repast or a celebration of life on short notice, call Jim Wood at 954-566-2868 first rather than emailing. He can tell you right away which rooms are open and walk you through setup.
Which room fits your guest count?
These capacities come directly from our rental page for the Oakland Park venue.
| Room | Size | Capacity | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Auditorium | 2,944 sq ft | 275 auditorium-style; 110 seated dinner | Anniversary dinners, church galas, celebrations of life, school banquets |
| Multipurpose Room | 1,026 sq ft | 70 cocktail; 50 auditorium-style; 40 conference-style | Repasts, small memorials, committee meetings, a green room for honorees |
| Welcome Lobby | 1,418 sq ft | 200 cocktail-style | Arrivals, photos, receptions after a service |
For a seated meal larger than 110, talk with us about the format. A cocktail-style reception in the lobby for up to 200 may suit a big family better than a plated dinner.
View the rooms and request a date
What’s included: tables, linens, place settings and the kitchen
A lot of party-planning stress comes from renting tables and dishes from five different places. A Main Auditorium rental includes:
- Thirteen 60-inch round tables (seating 8 each) with basic linens
- Rectangular buffet tables in three sizes with basic linens, plus six square card tables
- Six high-top cocktail tables with black linens or spandex
- 275 tan banquet chairs, two blue linen couches and two blue linen club chairs
- Place settings for 200: salad and dinner plates, full dinnerware, basic linen napkins and water glasses
- Kitchen access and complimentary password-protected Wi-Fi
The buffet tables are a good fit for a family-style spread, and the place settings for 200 easily cover a 110-guest dinner.
The kitchen is there to support your caterer or your own team. It has two microwave ovens, a commercial coffee maker, a double-door refrigerator and a commercial reach-in refrigerator with 26 tray holders. Kitchen use carries no additional charge with the Main Auditorium or the Multipurpose Room.
Sound, video, streaming and teleprompter
For many Lauderdale Lakes families, some of the most important guests live overseas. The Main Auditorium has a fully equipped professional sound and video booth with projection, streaming and a presidential teleprompter. It is staffed by the Center’s own team, with equipment and operator fees quoted when you inquire.
Use it to stream an anniversary toast to relatives in Jamaica or Haiti, play a photo tribute on the big screen, or give a pastor or keynote speaker a teleprompter for remarks. Our own livestream runs on the same system, so you can see the quality before you book.
Planning checklist for your Lauderdale Lakes event
- Write down your guest count and decide between a seated dinner (up to 110) or a standing reception (up to 200 in the lobby).
- Pick two or three dates and call Jim Wood at 954-566-2868 for availability and a quote.
- Visit the venue with your caterer so they can see the kitchen and plan service.
- Decide on the program: speeches, a band or DJ, a slideshow, a livestream for family abroad.
- Book AV support early if you want projection or streaming.
- Ask the Director of Operations to walk you through policies, setup and cleanup times before you sign.
- Send invitations with the full address and the route: Oakland Park Boulevard east to I-95, then Commercial Boulevard.
- Assign a family member to greet guests at the Guest Services desk in the Welcome Lobby.
When to book: October and the holiday season
October is a busy month in Lauderdale Lakes, with the city’s Carnival Weekend and relatives in town for it. The holiday season that follows brings church anniversaries, office parties and year-end family gatherings. If your event falls between October and the new year, reach out early to lock in your date. If you’d like to see the auditorium in use before you book, our Sunday service page has the details.
Parking and arrival for guests coming from Lauderdale Lakes
The venue has on-site parking for up to 150 vehicles, so grandparents can be dropped at the door and nobody has to circle the block. Guests walk from the lot into the 1,418 sq ft Welcome Lobby, where couches and club chairs give older relatives a comfortable place to sit while everyone arrives.
If you’re planning a large gala, consider a church van or carpools from the Lauderdale Lakes side to keep the lot easy. For other cities and room ideas across the county, see our Broward County event venue guide.
Frequently asked questions
How far is the venue from Lauderdale Lakes?
The Center for Spiritual Living at 4849 N. Dixie Highway in Oakland Park is about 6.1 miles and about 12 minutes from central Lauderdale Lakes. The typical route is east on Oakland Park Boulevard, a short stretch of I-95 and east on Commercial Boulevard. Drive times are typical and traffic varies.
What are some good event venues in Broward County, Florida?
Broward has hotel ballrooms, banquet halls, city community centers and church halls, and the right one depends on your guest count and parking needs. The Center for Spiritual Living in Oakland Park, in central Broward, offers a 275-seat Main Auditorium, a Multipurpose Room and a Welcome Lobby, with on-site parking for 150 vehicles.
What is a reception after a funeral called?
A gathering with food after a funeral or memorial is often called a repast, and some families simply call it a reception. It gives people time to share memories after the service. Our Multipurpose Room and Main Auditorium can both host a repast, with kitchen access for your caterer or family.
How many guests can the Center for Spiritual Living hold?
The Main Auditorium seats up to 275 auditorium-style or 110 for a seated dinner. The Multipurpose Room holds up to 70 cocktail-style, 50 auditorium-style or 40 conference-style. The Welcome Lobby holds up to 200 cocktail-style.
Is there Wi-Fi for presenters and guests?
Yes. Complimentary password-protected Wi-Fi comes with rentals of the Main Auditorium and the Multipurpose Room. Streaming and projection in the auditorium are run by the Center’s AV team, with fees quoted on inquiry.
Do we have to be members or share CSL’s beliefs to rent the space?
The venue hosts a wide range of events, from weddings and banquets to conferences and celebrations of life, and welcomes groups of every background. For any requirements that apply to your event, ask Jim Wood, Director of Operations, at 954-566-2868.
How do I get a rental quote and check dates?
Pricing is by inquiry. Call Jim Wood, Director of Operations, at 954-566-2868 for availability and a quote, or reach out through the contact page.
Planning a family celebration or a church gala from Lauderdale Lakes? Come see the rooms before you decide. Call Jim Wood, Director of Operations, at 954-566-2868 or send a quick message, and we’ll find a time for a walkthrough and help you check your date on our event rental page.
