The Islanders are "in discussions with state officials about building a new hockey arena at Belmont Park in Elmont, a move that would bring the team back to Nassau after they left to play in Brooklyn last year," according to sources cited by Brodsky & Baumbach of NEWSDAY. The sources confirmed that the team’s new owners "have met several times in recent months" with NYRA officials to "discuss a possible new arena." One source said, “NYRA is courting the Islanders. This is a wonderful opportunity to bring the Islanders back home.” Another source characterized the talks as "in the early stages and stressed the team’s new owners are weighing multiple options, including remaining in Brooklyn." Brodsky & Baumbach note discussions have "centered on a vacant 28-acre parcel covered by Belmont’s south parking lot that the Empire State Development Corp." put out for bid nearly four years ago. Four companies "already have put in bids to develop the property" (NEWSDAY, 7/23). In N.Y., Larry Brooks wrote, "Show me the money that is going to the construction of a single-team sports arena at either Willets Point or Belmont Park. ... Show me the elected official who will get behind public funding for what would become the fifth arena in the area -- the Garden, Barclays, Prudential already standing, and a remodeled, downsized Coliseum underway." Islanders co-Owner Jon Ledecky "obviously has vision, but it is difficult to foresee the endgame here for the Islanders" (N.Y. POST, 7/24).
