The Islanders consider Belmont Park as their new home

In an announcement to sports editors from the Associated Press on Friday, the commissioner of the NHL said that the Islanders are considering a move from their current home arena at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn to return to Long Island, specifically Belmont Park, where the team would submit a bid to build a new arena there.

"Yes, there is an RFP [request for proposal] for Belmont and I know they are going to participate in that," Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a Newsday article. "I believe that everyone thinks there is a terrific opportunity there, if not at Willets Point, to create a more hockey friendly environment for the Islanders, which is something Scott [Malkin] is committed to do."
The Islanders responded with no comment on this development as of press time on Friday.

Since 2012, the site at Belmont Park has been under consideration for development of many different projects over the last few years. Some other RFPs rejected by the state late last year were a 25,000-seat soccer stadium for the New York Cosmos, and with residents opposition, video lottery terminals much like the ones at nearby Aqueduct Racino.

The Empire State Development's press secretary Amy Varghese said in an email that proposal plans had not been solidified at this time and couldn't comment specifically on the Islanders coming to Belmont. "Development at Belmont will be an economic boost to the region and all improvements to the site will occur through the normal process," she said. "We're working to finalize an RFP for the site, which will be released when it's ready."

Neighbors of Belmont Park in Elmont such as Tammie Williams want what is known as mixed-use development, such as a tech startup, and quality-of-life recreational green space along with living space, for young professionals and empty nesters.

"Who can be against having a Request For Proposal that allows all economically-viable development plans for this property of regional significance?" she said. "We shouldn't be limiting the ideas but rather encouraging as many ideas as possible. That is how taxpayers get the best deal possible."

Bettman's comments on Friday are the first time any stadium plans for the Islanders have been publicly discussed.

Saying that the Islanders "are reviewing their options," Bettman, in the Newsday article, also mentioned the land next to Citi Field in Willets Point could be a potential landing spot for the Islanders and added that the renovated Nassau Coliseum is "not a long-term option."