Toronto Blue Jays are going to majorly renovate Rogers Centre rather than rebuild it, sources say

Toronto Blue Jays are planning a major renovation for Rogers Centre to the tune of $200+ million, according to sources. The redesign is expected to include a new-look mondernised lower bowl area for the seventh oldest stadium in the majors. According to sources to VenuesNow.com the focus will be on making the stadium “more conducive to baseball.”

Populous who redesigned the club’s Grapefruit League TD Ballpark in Dunedin will take on the project at the dome, while according to VenuesNow, PCL Construction will receive the contract from the Toronto Blue Jays to do the work.

Sportsnet Blue Jays reporter, Shi Davidi originally suggested this renovation concept could take place and VenuesNow has painted a slightly clearer picture. Davidi speculates on improved seating, scoreboard and ways to increase revenue at the stadium. He also says construction could take longer than usual due to supply chain issues. And getting permits could also be a challenge.

Initially, it was suggested that Rogers Communications and the real estate arm of Brookfield Asset Management Inc were reportedly proposing that the Rogers Centre be demolished in order to make way for a new ballpark with real grass in the same location.

Including real grass as part of the stadium renovation has not been confirmed as of yet and is not that likely considering that it is currently a multi-purpose large capacity venue.

There is no timeline for when construction of the skyline-defining 32-year old first retractable roof stadium will begin. There is also no mention of where the Blue Jays will play while the renovation takes place, although the Jays are used to calling other stadiums “home” as of late. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Blue Jays were forced to find new digs to play ball in nearby Buffalo, NY at Sahlen Field, and also at their newly renovated TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida.

The iconic, skyline-defining Rogers Centre (pre-condo boom), known as the SkyDome or “the Dome” from 1989–1994 cost $570-million to complete and taxpayers contributed significantly to the project. Rogers purchased “the Dome” in 2004 for $25-million, and it stands as the only remaining multi-use MLB parks with artificial turf.

by TOtimes Staff

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