Before Belmont, Islanders Will Return To Nassau Coliseum

At least for a little while, the Islanders are going to be coming home to Nassau Coliseum.

Starting this October, the Islanders will play at least 12 regular seasons games at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum during the 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons while the team's new stadium at Belmont is being constructed. The 60 games at the Coliseum is nearly half of the regular-season games. The other half will be played at the Barclay's Center, which the Islanders have called home for the last few years.

"The Islanders' long-awaited homecoming will bring jobs, economic activity and an iconic team back to their biggest fans," said Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who announced the deal at a special event at the Nassau Coliseum Monday morning. "By playing games at Nassau Coliseum, the Islanders will build momentum and excitement for the transformational redevelopment of Belmont Park."

The Belmont project will include an 18,000-seat arena, a renovated train station, a new 435,000 square-foot retail and entertainment complex, a new hotel and other community amenities.

In order to make the games at Nassau Coliseum possible, the state will invest $6 million in enhancements at the Coliseum to meet NHL requirements, specifically investing in ice plant redundancy and dehumidification, and media and broadcast cabling infrastructure. The improvements are expected to be completed by Fall 2018. Games will commence at the Coliseum subject to the legislature's approval of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment's lease amendment with the County and the Islanders.

The state will also work with Nassau County to facilitate additional enhancements. These investments are in support of larger and long-term improvements in and around the Nassau Hub and Coliseum.

"Nassau County is thrilled to welcome the Islanders back home this year, and thanks to the leadership of Governor Cuomo, the redevelopment of Belmont Park will create thousands of new jobs for our hard-working men and women," said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. "This is not only about hockey. It is about growing the tax place, creating jobs, improving the community and putting Nassau in the right direction. It is time that the Islanders come home and we thank the governor for helping make that happen."

Photo: Governor Andrew Cuomo's Office