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Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky expects to break ground on Belmont arena this summer

Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky told Newsday on Thursday he remains optimistic about beginning construction soon on the team’s planned new arena at Belmont Park.

“We're looking forward to breaking ground this summer,” he said Thursday. “That's the best way to put it.''

Ledecky’s comments come as Empire State Development, the state agency coordinating the project, acknowledged Thursday that the next step in the timeline -- the release of the final environmental impact statement -- will not take place on schedule. ESD has long said the environmental report would be produced by the end of the second quarter, which is Sunday.