Hofstra-Kentucky: The Nassau Coliseum inaugural game that wasn’t
Construction workers at Nassau Coliseum assemble the structures that will hold the new panels being installed outside the Coliseum, Monday Nov. 7, 2016. Credit: Newsday / Alejandra Villa
When Hofstra takes on Kentucky Sunday, it won’t be at Nassau Coliseum, as organizers had hoped one year ago, but at Barclays Center. But though the event – which was moved to Brooklyn in May – would have ideally opened up the renovated Coliseum, a spokesperson for the arena said that they’re still on target for their April opening and will be hitting major milestones soon.
Seat installation will begin in a couple of weeks, the spokesperson said, and the exterior is quickly taking shape.
The Coliseum’s Twitter account showed a drop-ceiling grid installation in the event lobby level, and on Nov. 27, they were preparing to lay tile in the VIP lounge. They put in steel installation for a new elevator at the time and a drop ceiling grid on the concourse.
The 20-month, $261 million renovation on the recently renamed venue (it’s officially Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum presented by New York Community Bank) will culminate on April 5, with a Billy Joel concert.
Laura Albanese is a reporter, feature writer and columnist covering local professional sports teams; she began at Newsday in 2007 as an intern.
