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Labor Department Looking To Fill 1,300 Positions When Nassau Coliseum Reopens

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- If you're looking for a job the Nassau Coliseum may be looking for you.

Hundreds of applications are being accepted for both full and part time positions.

As CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported, the Piano Man himself will make the first music when -- after 18 months -- the refurbished Nassau Coliseum opens in April, with 1,300 full and part time jobs.

"With the building opening in April, I think it gives something for everyone to look forward to," Coliseum General Manager, Matthew Felker said.

The arena will be smaller and scaled back, and that means 1,200 fewer employees than when the coliseum was at its zenith, according to the Department of Labor.

Dwayne Evans plans to re-apply for a union job.

"I am in the construction field," he said.

"It it's more than minimum wage you are going to get students working part time jobs to pay for their tuition," Hofstra student, Bill Crockatt said.

The metal shell is going up and there is a buzz in the hub.

Among jobs offered above minimum wage are positions for; ushers, account executives, bartenders, cooks, severs, concession stand workers,and box office ticket sales.

"With 1,300 new jobs, a big boost to our business," Christoper Vaccacio said, "Hope the Islanders and Nets come back to the Coliseum."

That's not likely, but they are looking for construction workers to install and remove ice and flooring for minor league and high school sports, as well as moneymaking concerts.

In the meantime chambers of commerce are looking for a bigger commitment to help and hire locally.

"What I'm hoping for is that some of those dollars generated by the project and the development in general will translate and spill over into the local economies," Margo K. Cargill, Uniondale Chamber of Commerce said.

Job seekers can apply through the State Department of Labor website. There will be a series of hiring fairs. A readiness workshop is set for Saturday at the Uniondale fire house.

The old Coliseum had 18,000 seats, now there will be just 14,500 for concerts and 13,000 for ice hockey.

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