News 12 has exclusive first coverage of Long Island Stadium, which will host eight matches at this year's Cricket World Cup.
Fans will next month fill the 34,000 seats at Eisenhower Park's facility and stadium, which was built by Long Islander residents.
John Slinsky and his Long Island-based company Landtec installed the field and main pitch where cricket matches are played. Obtaining the right type of turf for historic events was no easy task.
“This job in our backyard was special. The journey from Florida to New York required 22 tractor trailers. These trays are approximately 10 x 82 feet long and each It weighs approximately 16 to 18 tons.
Stony Brook native Don Lockerby is the T20 USA Venue Development Director. He is part of his 2024 Cricket World Cup organizing committee. He hopes that bringing cricket to a wider audience in the United States will help the sport grow.
“We're the biggest stadium in the tournament. It's sensational. Just having the Cricket World Cup in America is great for the sport,” Lockerbie said. “We are excited that the World Cup will be held here in Nassau.”
No matter which team wins, one thing remains the same.
“The world will be watching, and we will be proud of Long Island,” Slinsky said.
The field built for the tournament will remain for the community, but the stadium will be removed.
Cricket World Cup matches begin on June 3rd at Eisenhower Park.