With UBS Arena located within the heart of historic Belmont Park, The Park aims to take advantage of this unique setting and create something special for hockey fans of all ages.

The first rink, named the Northwell Pond, boasts a sheet of natural ice. It will host a series of 4v4 pond hockey tournaments following USA Hockey guidelines, catering to youth and adult divisions at various competitive levels. The second rink, named the Isles Pond, will host Learn to Skate, Learn to Play, and Try Hockey for Free programs. These community programs cater to a wide range of age groups and skill levels, aiming to grow the sport of hockey by making it accessible for everyone.

“Community events and activities will play a central role at the new Belmont Park,” said David O'Rourke, NYRA President & CEO. “This partnership between NYRA and the New York Islanders will advance that mission by providing our neighbors with easy and affordable access to ice skating and hockey in the Belmont Park backyard. We're excited to help grow this new initiative and look forward to welcoming kids and families to The Park later this month.”

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Rather than retrofitting the current grandstand, O'Rourke favors rebuilding a smaller version because he believes it represents fewer challenges. All three surfaces at Belmont also need to be renovated, O'Rourke said, and the project could include opening the infield to fans. Specific plans will be drawn up once the state approves a general direction for the project.

The state is the landowner at Belmont Park, where the current construction nearing completion is a new arena for the National Hockey League's New York Islanders. Construction on the arena began in September of 2019, and while it was delayed due to COVID-19, completion is expected in fall of 2021.

“We think it's a really good project,” O'Rourke told drf.com. “One, we can fund it off VLTs. It'll create jobs. It also might create some other opportunities for the state with what it could free up at Aqueduct. Our anticipation is that those conversations with the state are going to pick up literally within the next few weeks.”

Read more at the Daily Racing Form.

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