BETTMAN ON THE COLISEUM PROJECT
Says “It’s the only thing you have to worry about”
On the “Boomer & Carton Show” on WFAN this morning, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman praised the stewardship of Islanders owner Charles B. Wang. When asked about the Lighthouse Project, Bettman gave basically the same optimistic answer that he has been giving on WFAN for about five years. Except for one twist.
The commissioner pointed out Wang’s dedication to the franchise and Long Island. He mentioned the hiring of Scott Gordon and noted the Islanders’ decision to rebuild. On the development of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum property, he talked about dealing with Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead and how important it is for the hockey team to have a first-class facility. Bettman expressed hope that “they’ll be breaking ground sometime in the next year.”
In making the point that, in Wang, Islanders ownership is solid, Bettman said in relation to the development project, “It’s the only thing you have to worry about.”
That’s the most frank comment Bettman has ever made on the subject. We continue to hear that dealings between Wang and his real estate partner Scott Rechler with Nassau and the TOH are progressing well. We’re told the timetable of the summer of 2009 to get a shovel in the friggin’ ground already is still realistic.
Where this ends up is still anybody’s guess, until someone from the Islanders or Nassau makes a bold statement. But it was good to hear the usually stoic commissioner let down his guard just a little.
10 Responses to BETTMAN ON THE COLISEUM PROJECT
Says “It’s the only thing you have to worry about”
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for any new information on the Lighthouse project, check http://lighthouseliblog.blogspot.com/ regularly.
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MikeD says:
The problem with the lighthouse project is that the Islanders don’t even get a brand new facility. How much can they really upgrade the Coliseum?!?!?!?!
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Chris TMC says:
Competely. This is going to be a gut renovation, not some paint job!
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Adam Malmut says:
Can’t wait for them to break ground… now i need to get a journalism job on long island and my wife-to-be and I are set!
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Dmarie says:
It all looks wonderful on paper but lets get busy already! I hope whatever they plan to do, they do it ASAP! The Islanders are the only NHL team that play in a brick S**T house, it’s a horrible arena and it’s a shame.
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Tom says:
Maybe Wang can get together w/the nets & move the team to Brooklyn. Long Island seems pretty apathetic to whole situation.
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Mike says:
I have been saying for a long time if Nassau County continues to drag their feet the Islanders need to seriously consider moving to Queens/Brooklyn. I would love to see a brand new spanking arena be built next to Citi Field. On the other hand I would love to see the Lighthouse Project get underway this summer.
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Atlantic Yards looks as good as dead in Brooklyn. It might actually be more beneficial if they tried to move the Nets into the renovated Coliseum.
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Nick is correct… and that would be much, much better. Much. If that ever happened I go on record that Id actually go to professional basketball games for the first time in my life.
Chris, it’s good to hear about the Lighthouse. I’m one of the people on the board of the Lighthouse advocacy group, and I was getting nervous about the radio silence from all I’ve contacted within the Lighthouse. Do we have any more information about when the TOH plans public comments on the project?
Also, given the pre-approval of the Coliseum renovation, is there any chance the Coliseum could start next summer with only the framework for a larger deal in place? I know Dave Denenberg of the Nassau Legislature told me he expected the environmental review to last until June of 09 at the earliest, and that could seriously jeopardize the timeframe. Thanks in advance for any insight.