On August 1, 2011, Nassau County voted for The Lighthouse Project, which would have given the New York Islanders a new state-of-the-art home in Uniondale.
The area would have become a major attraction, with shops and hotels, creating new jobs and more income for the region.
However, Kate Murray, former Hempstead town supervisor, led the rebellion against the project, convincing the majority to vote no.
The effects of the vote were frankly terrible for the franchise.
Once seen as a Mickey Mouse club, the Islanders were running out of time to find a new home as NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the Nassau Coliseum was no longer good enough to host NHL games.
That sparked rumors about a possible move to Kansas City, a scary but realistic option.
The Islanders ended up staying at The Coliseum through the 2015-16 season before moving to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn — an arena not made for hockey.
Aside from the scoreboard not being centered, it was a journey for most Islanders fans, with many deciding not to go.
Fans needed two to transfer trains with little or no leeway in the train schedule.
There were obstructed seats left and right, and it just wasn’t fun for an already struggling franchise.
While the fans weren’t happy, neither were the players.
In addition to having to get to Brooklyn, one player told The Hockey News that the ice was absolutely terrible — an opinion likely shared.
When John Tavares left the Islanders after the 2017-18 season — New York was splitting home games at Nassau Coliseum and Barclay’s while Barclay’s was losing money — he shared that the uncertainty of a home arena played a big role.
The Islanders finally got what they wanted when UBS Arena opened in Belmont in November 2021.
Related: BREAKING: Islanders to host 2026 NHL All-Star Game at UBS Arena
The new facility is beautiful inside and out, providing Islanders fans with a true home after years of uncertainty.
Owner Scott Malkin is working hard on developing the surrounding area, first creating The Park, focusing now on completing construction of the village, where there will be hotels, shops and more, The Lighthouse Projected 2.0.
Related: EXCLUSIVE: Islanders Legends Butch Goring and Bryan Trottier Loving ‘The Park’ at UBS Arena
However, it is not Uniondale.
It’s not the place where the Islanders lived for 42 years, where they won four consecutive Stanley Cups.
It is not an easy journey, even with the opening of the train lines.
But it’s a house, the one that kept the islanders on Long Island, which is the most important thing.
It might be a hot scene, but can we stop reminiscing about the 8/1 thing from 13 years ago? I loved the Coliseum for what it was, but these days they are in a beautiful new arena. Everything worked out for the best.
– Pizza Sports Guy (@PizzaSportsGuy) August 1, 2024
Unfortunately for the Colosseum, it has become a place to sleep, but it looks like it could soon be reawakened.
Las Vegas Sands and Nassau County have agreed to a 42-year lease of the Coliseum and land, and the Lighthouse Project is likely to become a success — just not involving the islanders.
BEST STORIES
Related: MSG Networks Locks Down Top Free Agent: Islanders Broadcaster Brendan Burke
Related: Gotta See: Islanders Captain Anders Lee Scores No-Look Goal In Da Beauty League
Related: Islanders Alumnus Mark Parrish Celebrates Four Years of Sobriety
