By Adam LoBelia

Nassau Coliseum, neighbor to the University, could receive a makeover if the owner of the New York Islanders has his way.

The team’s owner, Charles Wang, has proposed a plan that would radically alter Hempstead, N.Y. and subsequently affect the University and its students.

The plan calls for Nassau Coliseum to be renovated, lowering the floor to create additional seating, including luxury boxes. An athletic complex would be built next to the Coliseum, which would have an ice rink, basketball and volleyball courts and a health club.

Students could benefit from the renovation, Melissa Connolly, assistant vice president for University Relations, said.

“The President [of Hofstra] has been supportive of Mr. Wang and thinks the proposal is good for Hofstra,” she said. “The plan includes a sports complex in walking distance from Hofstra and this would greatly improve campus life.”

Connolly said she is excited for any place to be considered “walkable” from the University.

As far as concerns about traffic and other problems dealing with increased urbanization of the area, Connolly assured the University’s facilities and personnel would handle any such changes.

“Hofstra has a history of developing according to the needs of its students and we will address key problems that might arise,” she said.

Since renovations have not been finalized, the University has no specific plans to deal with the changes as of yet.

“Events already at Hofstra, such as the Special Olympics and various athletic camps, have been handled,” she said.

Connolly also noted construction has occurred around the University before without incident, citing the buildings behind the residence halls, which were erected in recent years.

Connolly was unable to say how the University would formally use the renovated Nassau Coliseum. A formal current relationship with Nassau Coliseum has not been established.

Renovating the Coliseum and adding a sports complex is only the first phase of Wang’s overall plan. The second phase calls for a total transformation of the 70-acre area around the Coliseum. Luxury condominiums and a hotel would be built, with a 60-story lighthouse dubbed the “Great Lighthouse,” as the centerpiece.

Wang is also considering “affordable priced” apartments connected to the athletic complex.

Most students are welcoming of the project.

“I think it’s good for the economy,” Isaac Elyasoff, a junior business management major, said. “I don’t think it’s going to make a traffic problem or anything like that.”

“I think it would really improve the area,” Matthew Diano, a junior journalism major, said. “This campus is beautiful, but when you step off of it, you’re in an eyesore. Being a huge sports fan, renovating the Nassau Coliseum would be huge. I’d like to go to the shopping center to kill some time before the game.”

Some students had concerns over the possible negative impact of the project.

“I feel like renovations to the Coliseum is a good idea, however what they showed in Newsday is a little extreme,” senior Lionel Lauture, video and TV production major, said. “Having that huge skyscraper seems like it would take away from the suburban area. It looks like it’ll bring way too much commotion to Long Island.”

Future plans for the “Great lighthouse” near Nassau Coliseum could improve the area. (//mb1.scout.com)