VIDEO: Mangano, Murray Partner for New Coliseum Plan

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano was joined by New York Islanders owner Charles Wang and Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray Wednesday morning to announce the plans to build a sports-entertainment complex at the current site of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The proposed complex would include a new state-of-the-art sports arena for the Islanders, as well as a minor league ballpark.

Mangano also announced that he, along with New York State Senators Dean Skelos and Jack Martins, will continue to pursue the construction of an Indian gaming casino at Belmont Park.

Citizens will have the opportunity to have their vote on the $400 million bond referendum on Aug. 1, 2011. Of the $400 million, $350 million is slated for the new arena, while the remaining $50 million will go toward the ballpark.

"Redeveloping the Hub is critical to creating jobs in our county and stimulating local economy" Mangano said. "With the support of business and community leaders, I am advancing a county-wide referendum. This referendum will allow residents to decide whether we should build a sports-entertainment destination at the site of Nassau Coliseum that retains our Islanders, construct a minor league ballpark and create thousands of jobs."