Islanders co-owner Jon
Ledecky, Gov. Kathy Hochul, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and other officials
cut the ribbon at $1 billion UBS Arena on Friday.
"This truly is
transformative and this is now the epicenter of fun and cool in Long
Island," Hochul says.
On Saturday, the Islanders
drop the puck for their first home game in their new home at 7 p.m.
The NHL commissioner says
the UBS is a beautiful state-of-the-art arena that Long Island has always
deserved.
Before hockey gets started,
Friday was a soft opening to see Chicago. The event was invite only for box seat
ticket holders and for men and women who helped build the facility.
Elmont resident Heather
Meyers works for L&L Painting and did work for the building and says the
event was lots of fun, but she says not all people in the area are happy about
the new building.
"Everyone was
complaining about all the traffic it's gonna cause us, but it is what it
is," Meyers says. "It'll be worth it."
Former Islanders were also
on site and had great reviews for the new facility.
"This building is
great," says Bobby Nystrom, who won four Stanley Cups with the team.
"The thing I'm happiest about is that the team has a home and they can
settle down. No more up and down."
The arena seats 17,000
people, and the Islanders co-owner expects fans to dress it in orange and blue.
"I hope we have
delivered to the fans, the greatest fans in the National Hockey League,"
Ledecky says. "You deserve this home, and you now have it."
The Islanders face off
against the Calgary Flames Saturday at 7 p.m.