Islanders May Get New Home

The New York Islanders of the National Hockey League have a lease with the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale that expires in 2015, and Nassau County officials are proposing a $400 million arena bond they hope will keep the team on Long Island ice.

Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano announced the bond proposal alongside Islanders owner Charles Wang and Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray May 11. If Nassau County residents pass the measure Aug. 1, construction would begin on the Islanders’ new home in 2012 and would be ready for action for the 2015-16 season, according to NHL.com.

“Without a new arena, we will lose the Islanders, shutter the aging Coliseum and besides losing present jobs, will lose the currently substantial economic benefits including all the existing arena and secondary jobs,” Mangano reportedly said at the announcement, held inside the Coliseum.

Mangano was also joined by Shinnecock tribal chairman Randy King; Nassau County officials say they are entering into negotiations with the tribe to possibly open a casino at Belmont Park Race Track in Elmont.

The Coliseum opened in 1972.