Toronto Rogers Centre Renovations | ?m | ?s | Toronto Blue Jays | Populous

Seeing the roof opening is always great. It's nice to still be gladdened by familiar things.
When I used to work at the CN Tower (in the late '80's) we used to watch it move from the main indoor observation deck. Quite a view! Tourists were generally amazed.
There's a lot of loose talk on here about replacing the stadium, etc., but watching the videos posted of it opening, I thought - who knows? The way things come around that go around, the whole place might be back in vogue in a whole new way if we can hang onto it for ten or twenty years. It's not pretty, but it's still incredibly impressive.
I'm glad to see Rogers is investing in the place.
 
sixrings said:
I agree. That this is too late. I was responding to someone suggesting if you knock out the back wall it would bring in light. All I was saying is that the other side would significantly have been better since it wouldnt be meters away from a business building. Again I agree this is too late in the game for that.

Although i still wonder how hard it would be to completely take off the roof and add grass and drainage.

I think the big problem with no roof is that level 100 is completely exposed to the sun. The 500 level wouldn’t cover too much. It would be crazy hot.
Click to expand...
Shapiro has essentially confirmed grass is not happening in this stadium. The cost would be so great to figure out drainage etc it just wouldn't be worth it.

To be honest, I don't think most fans really care about the turf anymore. I know I don't. Kind of an old talking point. It looks *so* much better than it used to, it's really barely an aesthetic downgrade from real grass now.
 
CanadianNational said:
Seeing the roof opening is always great. It's nice to still be gladdened by familiar things.
When I used to work at the CN Tower (in the late '80's) we used to watch it move from the main indoor observation deck. Quite a view! Tourists were generally amazed.
There's a lot of loose talk on here about replacing the stadium, etc., but watching the videos posted of it opening, I thought - who knows? The way things come around that go around, the whole place might be back in vogue in a whole new way if we can hang onto it for ten or twenty years. It's not pretty, but it's still incredibly impressive.
I'm glad to see Rogers is investing in the place.
Click to expand...
Ten years ago I was desperate for a new stadium, as a big Jays fan. But they've improved it so much, that I'm surprised at how much I've come around to the idea of sticking with the place, and doing a couple more major renos down the line instead.
 
Woodbridge_Heights said:
eh. The conversation went:
"There needs to be more natural light. Lets open up some of the exterior walls. Especially in the outfield that's a real issue"
"Uh, there's a hotel on the other side"
"Yeah but the real real issue is the South (home plate to first base) area. We should open that space up"
"Uh, that's the main grandstand. Fans need to sit there"
"Yeah but if they rotate the field"
...

No, just no.
Click to expand...


That's not really how the convo went...but okay..lol.

Perfect example is my comment regarding the walls being to high weren't even so much pertaining to the fact there's not enough light in the stadium. It was more about how even when the roof is open and there's lots of light, the walls being so high still makes you feel like you somewhat indoor in a concrete bunker. I even made analogy that's in similar to being in a car with a sun roof as opposed to a car that's fully convertible.
 
Last edited:
C-mac said:
That's not really how the convo went...but okay..lol.

Perfect example is my comment regarding the walls being to high weren't even so much pertaining to the fact there's not enough light in the stadium. It was more about how even when the roof is open and there's lots of light, the walls being so high still makes you feel like you somewhat indoor in a concrete bunker. I even made analogy that's in similar to being in a car with a sun roof as opposed to a car that's fully convertible.
Click to expand...
This was discussed years ago in this thread, but the belief is if Rogers really wanted to open up the OF areas, they technically could. Old construction photos show enough open space where the hotel currently lies. Whether it's financially worthwhile to do so is another question, especially when you factor in the Marriott hotel tacked onto the north end and the compensation they'd likely be owed if forced to vacate the space. My guess is they've investigated it and won't seriously consider anything of that scale until the time comes, likely 15 - 20 years down the line, perhaps in conjunction with transparent panels in the roof.

As for the field rotation idea, apparently the Jays/Rogers did consider that for the renovations, which would've seen the field rotate clockwise with home plate facing the CN tower. That idea was obviously rejected considering the amount of work required to rebuild an OF area in the eastern portion of the stadium.

As for the current renovations, it's a huge upgrade over what was basically dead space in the OF areas. I think the 100L reno will have an even greater impact on the facility, with better seating, more amenities, improved sightlines, and I would guess, wider, more angular concourses should they remove the rotating tracks.
stadiums-canada-ontario-toronto-skydome-1987.jpg
7e1532e5503463d0d36c2d6b18f7db533342f5c2-2540x1428.jpg
 
Out of curiosity ( spite the thought if it can be done ) but to replace the concrete walls on the outside and, replace it with windows? Glass, windows, or whatever they use ( especially for Toronto weather ).

But not the whole RC. But perhaps in some sections of the RC. Where fans are able to get a view of the city from inside, as they walk and glace around the RC? If so would that be another option to bring in more light ( seeing the roof could be a complicated task at this point )?
 
Off topic, but the digital sign on top of Brookfield Place has the Jays logo on it on west side right not. Thought it was kind of neat. Not sure if this is this right thread for this but figured I would post it here.
 
Got out to a game - have to say, I thought the renos were GREAT in person. The outfield feels like a completely different place than it used to, and I think people will enjoy it whether they are a big baseball fan or just loosely curious. I recommend checking it out - had an awesome time.
 
G.L.17 said:
Shots from Friday night's game.
View attachment 469895
View attachment 469896
View attachment 469897View attachment 469898
View attachment 469899View attachment 469900
View attachment 469901
Click to expand...

Having been to 4 games already. This renovation has been amazing, everyone seems to be having a great time, the product on and off the field has been tremendous.

I'm extremely excited for infield phase 2. Those wide open concourses makes it feel a lot less like 'concrete bowl' and a lot more like a field.
 
G.L.17 said:
Shots from Friday night's game.
View attachment 469895
View attachment 469896
View attachment 469897View attachment 469898
View attachment 469899View attachment 469900
View attachment 469901
Click to expand...
First images I've seen where there's actually some atmosphere/vibe at the Rogers Centre.

I hope they'll add more of these public terraces down the road if these are a success, and perhaps consider adding some rim lighting to the inside of the dome to reduce that 'inside-ness' feeling when it's closed?
 
The only thing I don't like is how wonky the outfield wall looks. I know they didn't want the stadium to feel "cookie cutter", it just looks awkward to me.
 
T.E.C.II said:
The only thing I don't like is how wonky the outfield wall looks. I know they didn't want the stadium to feel "cookie cutter", it just looks awkward to me.
Click to expand...

yeah I'm trying to decide what I think of it too. The nice thing is that's an easy fix. If they don't like it they can fix it next year when they do the whole lower bowl.
 
You must log in or register to post here.

Back
Top