Attempts to build a new arena on the site of Nassau Coliseum, the home of the New York Islanders, have failed at every turn. Whether it's the lack of approval from local government for the massive Lighthouse Project proposal or the lack of taxpayer support for a more recent arena plan that was voted down in August, owner Charles Wang and the Islanders have seemingly exhausted most of their options.
As a result, fans have worried about the future of their team on Long Island. But is there new found hope yet again? Via Newsday comes details of a new proposal, put forth by a group called Association of a Better Long Island, which calls for a minor league baseball park, an outdoor ice rink a parking garage and retail space on the land that surrounds the Coliseum.
The $346.5 million proposal would also include $100 million in renovations to the Coliseum itself, which Newsday says "would make the structure large and taller, with new seats and suites." The paper also reports that the plan would be privately financed, a huge detail in the wake of the failed referendum that hit the ballot on August 1.
Our Islanders blog, Lighthouse Hockey, is sure to have more on this story.