On Long Island, Jim Baumbach notes the window for public comments on the Islanders’ Belmont arena project, which was scheduled to end yesterday, has been "extended until Aug. 1, slightly pushing back the anticipated timeline for the three approvals that New York Arena Partners needs before it can begin construction on the site." Empire State Development Press Secretary Jack Sterne said that the project’s construction timeline "will not be affected by the slight delay." The arena is "expected to open in time" for the '21-22 NHL season (NEWSDAY, 7/24).
FANS FIRST: TD Garden President Amy Latimer recently discussed the arena's ongoing $100M renovations and adjacent mixed-use development, The Hub on Causeway. Latimer said guest experience is the "most important" thing to focus on. She said, "Security is important to make sure they feel safe, they're in a clean facility and it's the content that they want to see." Latimer also said once Massachusetts passes legislation allowing sports betting, it will become a "natural within the building" ("Bold Types," BOSTONGLOBE.com, 7/23).
TIGHTEN THINGS UP? In Detroit, Anthony Fenech writes it is "time for the Tigers to take another look at how they can make Comerica Park fairer for hitters." The "consensus among Tigers hitters is that the biggest problem comes between right-center field -- which juts out to roughly 380 feet at its deepest point with an 11-foot, 6-inch wall -- and left-center field." The Tigers could "move the center field fence in, conservatively to 410 feet or aggressively to 400 feet, and perhaps chop the additional three feet of fencing from the top of the out-of-town scoreboard in right-center field" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 7/24).
