Board approves new Islanders arena project at Belmont Park

Hockey-fans-make-their-way-toward-the-entrances-of-the-renovated-Nassau-Veterans-Memorial-Coliseum-before-a-preseason-NHL-hockey-game-between-the-New-York-Islanders-and-the-Philadelphia-Flyers-in-Uniondale,-N.Y.,-Sunday,-Sept.-17,-2017.-(Kathy-Willens/AP)

Hockey fans make their way toward the entrances of the renovated Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum before a preseason NHL hockey game between the New York Islanders and the Philadelphia Flyers in Uniondale, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. (Kathy Willens/AP)

A development board has unanimously voted in favour of a new project which would give the New York Islanders a new arena at Belmont Park.

The Empire State Development approved the $1.3 billion project and work on the new complex could begin as early as this month.

The Islanders said in a statement that they’re on schedule to have their new home for the 2021-22 season.

“Today marks an historic occasion for the New York Islanders and our amazing fans,” the Islanders said.

New York left Nassau Coliseum prior to the start of the 2015-16 season for the Barclays Center, but fans complained about bad views and obstructed seats.

The NHL decided last season to split Islanders home games between Nassau and Barclays, an arrangement which is expected to remain in place until the new arena.

The new arena will be located adjacent to the Belmont Park horse racing track.

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