NHL Commish Confident Belmont Park Construction Done By '21

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman "believes the Islanders' new arena at Belmont Park can still be completed on or close to its target date of October 2021," according to Andrew Gross of NEWSDAY. Bettman yesterday said it was his understanding "they have either resumed construction or they're about to." He added, "This building is proceeding and, I'm told, it will be on time or close to on time. So, that shouldn't be an issue." Gross notes construction, along with limited retail sales, manufacturing, wholesale trade and agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting are "included as businesses that can re-open in Phase 1." New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, "Long Island will open tomorrow." But Cuomo "did not specifically mention the Belmont Park arena project." The Islanders have "targeted the start of the 2021-22 NHL regular season to open their new home." Team officials have "expressed confidence throughout the forced work stoppage that the project could still be completed on time" (NEWSDAY, 5/26).