Nassau Coliseum Renovations One Step Closer to Completion

The New Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum is one step closer to being completed, as the first seats were installed in the remodeled arena this week.

The new seats were unveiled by Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano. Joining Mangano were Maryann and Joe Campanelli of Plainview, along with their children, who were the first ticket holders to take a seat. The Campanellis are members of the Long Island All Access Pass program and will have tickets to the designated seats for all events at the Coliseum, beginning with Billy Joel’s venue-opening show on April 5.

“Great progress has been made toward transforming the Coliseum into a world-class arena," said Mangano. "Much of the old has been removed and significant upgrades have been made, including the installation of new seats which were manufactured in the USA. The Coliseum will be a great modern entertainment venue for Long Islanders and has already attracted world-class acts, including Billy Joel, Mariah Carey and Lionel Richie, Marc Anthony, Bruno Mars and Stevie Nicks.”

The Coliseum’s new seating, manufactured in the USA by Irwin Seating Company at their Grand Rapids, Michigan manufacturing plant, utilizes high-tech fabric designed specifically for arena use, providing both comfort and durability. The venue’s seating will also provide generous legroom.

Under terms of the contract, Nassau County taxpayers will receive minimum guaranteed revenue of $194.5 million during the 34-year lease term with Nassau Events Center, LLC, which owns the Coliseum. Simply put, the county will receive a minimum of 8 percent of gross revenue or $4 million annually, whichever is greater; plus $400,000 annually from the retail component or 8 percent of the gross, whichever is greater.

In addition to the transformed arena, the property will serve as home to cutting-edge medicine at the new Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and future technology in the planned research center.

Photo: Nassau County