The owners of the Islanders and Mets and a sports arena development company backed by Madison Square Garden are in talks to build a new hockey arena at Belmont Park, among other local sites, sources involved with the discussions confirmed Friday.
The sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the talks are private, said negotiations involving Belmont and the other sites are underway among the sports executives as well as the offices of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and the not-for-profit New York Racing Association, which operates the racetrack.
The discussions are in the early stage and no decisions have been made on the future home of the Islanders. Several obstacles remain, the sources said.
Among the issues are placing a major entertainment venue between the nearby Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where the Islanders currently play their home games, and the Nassau Coliseum. All of the arenas need to rely on concerts and other entertainment draws.
Other New York City locations being considered, such as the Willets Point area adjacent to Citi Field, remain a possibility for a new Islanders arena, sources said.
Governor Andrew Cuomo is also on board with the plan as New York State owns the property on which New York’s racetrack’s rest. Cuomo has committed money for transportation infrastructure.
The Long Island Rail Road spur line terminates at Belmont Park. Speculation is that the rails could be extended or a covered moving walkway could be constructed to connect the current train platform with the arena.
Current plans for the edifice call for the building to be constructed in the parking lot south of Hempstead Turnpike (marked B in the following picture).