More questions arise into Nassau Coliseum's future as another team leaves
Whatever happens to the Coliseum, community members hope it helps the area for years to come.
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The news of another team leaving the Nassau Coliseum has some local residents frustrated about the future of the site.
In a letter to fans, the New York Riptide lacrosse team announced the franchise will move to Ottawa, Ontario in the next season.
Vito Quinto, from East Meadow, says he misses seeing the Coliseum packed for Islanders games.
"You could leave at 6:45 p.m. for a 7 p.m. game and be in your driveway at 9:25 p.m. So, you know, it is upsetting to the people around here."
Some local businesses nearby on Hempstead Turnpike say they're worried about seeing less business now that one less event will be at the Coliseum.
Borrelli's Italian restaurant owner Frank Borrelli says any event at the Coliseum helps with business.
"It was great having something there than having nothing,” said Borrelli. “There were a few nights where they did draw five to 10,000 people on certain nights and we did see an increase in that."
Some community members even feel it's time to do away with the Coliseum entirely and replace it.
"A medical research facility. A technology campus. Things that build on values,” said Richard Williams, a founding member of the group Say No To The Casino. “Build on the things we need today. We need more technology. We need things to go faster."
Whatever happens to the Coliseum, community members hope it helps the area for years to come.
"Please just do something with it,” said Quinto. "It's got to be sustainable. It's got to be something so that the people can work here and the economy can pick up."
