According to Newsday, the New York Islanders are examining two locations to build a potential new arena for the team to call home. It’s been long reported that the Islanders – along with their fans – aren’t pleased with their current home in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center and they’re exploring possible options which could take the team to a location near Citi Field in Queens or to Belmont Park in Elmont which would bring the Isles back to Nassau.
Here’s the report regarding Belmont Park:
The New York 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 familiar with the negotiations.
The sources confirmed that the team’s new owners have met several times in recent months with officials of the New York Racing Association, which runs Belmont, to discuss a possible new arena.
And the report suggesting a move to Queens is an option:
Disclosure of the Belmont discussions followed a Newsday report Thursday that the Islanders have had discussions with the Wilpon family, the majority owners of the New York Mets, about building an arena for the hockey team next to Citi Field in Queens.
Based on all of the reports which have surfaced over the past several weeks, it’s clear the Islanders are exploring their options. The team’s current home in Brooklyn is still a long-term possibility, but there is a growing list of concerns ranging from branding inside the arena to obstructed views which could force the Isles to use their opt-out clause which kicks in following the 2018-19 season.
The Barclays group has apparently been receptive to the Islanders’ list of complaints, but there are some issues – including the obstructed views and the nightmarish commutes – which aren’t easy fixes. The Barclays Center always seemed like a peculiar choice for the Islanders, but one could make the case that the old ownership group made a lot of decisions which didn’t make much sense. With new owners involved who plan to support the Isles up to the cap maximum and offer support which previously hasn’t been seen, it’s possible a significant change will be made which could shift the organization to another new building.
