| Location | Commack, New York | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built | 1956-1959 | ||||
| Opened | 1959 | ||||
| Closed | 1996 | ||||
| Surface | Ice | ||||
| Capacity | 4,000 (Ice hockey) | ||||
| Tenants | |||||
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Long Island Arena (also commonly known as the Commack Arena) was a 4,000-seat indoor arena in Commack, New York from 1959 until 1996. The Long Island Ducks of the Eastern Hockey League called the Arena home from 1959 until the league folded in 1973, one year after the New York Islanders came into existence, and were a popular team in the small community.[1][2] The arena was also briefly the home of the New York Nets of the American Basketball Association from 1968-1969.
Along with hockey, the Long Island Arena was used for ice skating, the circus, the Suffolk County Fair and concerts. Former U.S. President John F. Kennedy made a visit to the arena on November 6, 1960 while campaigning for the presidency.[3] The arena also hosted concerts for the Young Rascals, The Strawbs, Jay & The Americans, Arthur Fiedler, the Boston Pops Orchestra, Chubby Checker, The Who, Jerry Garcia, Blue Öyster Cult, Black Sabbath, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Rainbow (band) (featuring Ronnie James Dio), and jazz group The Dave Brubeck Quartet.
During the 1980s and 1990s, the Long Island Arena housed a large, indoor flea market until the facility closed on July 31, 1996.[4]. A shopping center, consisting of Sports Authority, Borders bookstore, King Kullen, and Target, now stands on the former site of the arena, which was located on the south side of Veterans Highway just west of the Sunken Meadow State Parkway.
The Long Island Arena was also the place Peter Frampton recorded part of his double album Frampton Comes Alive which to date is still the number one selling double live album of all time.
References
- ^ Teaford, Elliott (1993-10-03). "Mighty Ducks '93-94: Premiere Season". Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/1993-10-03/news/ss-42595_1_long-island-ducks. Retrieved 2009-09-06.
- ^ Levin, Dan (1969-03-31). "If You Like Hockey, Basketball And Fierce Fighting Fans, Go Out To Commack, L.I.". Sports Illustrated. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1082250/index.htm. Retrieved 2009-09-06.
- ^ "Kennedy to Attend a Rally in Suffolk". New York Times. 1960-11-06. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00C17F6355513738DDDAF0894D9415B808AF1D3. Retrieved 2009-09-06.
- ^ Hernandez, Carol (1996-07-14). "Vendors Say Goodbye to the Arena". Newsday.
See also
| Preceded by Teaneck Armory |
Home of the New York Nets 1968 – 1969 |
Succeeded by Island Garden |
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Coordinates: 40°50′18″N 73°17′0″W / 40.83833°N 73.283333°W
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