Taxpayers in Nassau County, N.Y. hold the fate of the New York Islanders in their hands. A referendum to approve a new $350 million hockey arena will be placed on the ballot, and a special election will be held on August 1.
New York Islanders, Government Officials Announce New Arena Plan; Taxpayers To Vote August 1
Officials, including Islanders owner Charles Wang, Nassau County Executive Charles Mangano and Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, Wednesday announced a $350 million plan to develop the Coliseum site, including a new 17,500-seat hockey arena that the Islanders could call home. The plan also calls for a minor league baseball stadium on the site and a casino on the Belmont Park site nine miles away.
The plan will go to the voters in a special election on August 1, a date that’s suddenly been circled by thousands of Islanders fans. If it passes, the wheels could be in motion to break ground on the new building by spring. The Isles’ lease with the current Coliseum ends in 2015, so the hope is to complete the new building in time for the 2015-16 NHL season.
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