Watch CBS News

Officials, Sports Luminaries Celebrate Announcement Of Nassau Coliseum Renovation Project

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Elected officials joined luminaries from the sports world on Friday at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum to celebrate the announcement of a $229 million renovation project for the aging arena.

Light heavyweight boxing champ Bernard Hopkins spoke of the likelihood championship bouts that could one day be held at the arena on Long Island.

Developer Bruce Ratner said that the building will take on a new iconic image that will include a shopping plaza and create 2,700 new jobs, WCBS 880's Peter Haskell reported.

Officials, Sports Luminaries Celebrate Announcement Of Nassau Coliseum Renovation Project

Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari said college sports also could find a home at the renovated coliseum.

The New York Islanders plan to move to Brooklyn after the 2014-15 season, but they'll return for six games a year under the renovation plan announced this week. One of their stars, Matt Martin, represented the team at Friday's event.

County Executive Edward Mangano has chosen a group headed by developer Bruce Ratner to oversee the renovation.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
You May Also Be Interested In These Stories

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.