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

[TJ O'Pootertoot]

Yeah, it's going to be a lot more than just replacing/re-aligning the seats. They are going to take out the entire 100-level structure and replace it.
If you've been there (and I assume we all have) you know that there is a clear demarcation where the concourse ends and the 100-level begins, because it's all on rails. (There's like a big plastic ring going around the stadium that you can't miss.)
And there is a huge amount of dead space underneath, as well as space occupied by the now-obsolete machinery.

So I suspect it will be at least a visually obvious a change as the current round. Firstly, if the 500-level pictures are any guideline, they will replace the light blue seats with new, dark blue ones. I've posted images before of other stadiums where the 100-level is kind of broken into a VIP section and then like a B-level, and I wouldn't be surprised if they did something like that here too (pic of Yankee Stadium attached as example). And this is a real amateur-hour drawing of how drastically they can bring the seating closer to the field.

EDIT: Better late than never, just adding this picture of the concourse I found on Google. You can see the dividing line between the concourse and the seating structure here. They will tear down everything on the far side of that line; it's a big project and a lot of space to play with.

 

[daptive]

Yeah, it's going to be a lot more than just replacing/re-aligning the seats. They are going to take out the entire 100-level structure and replace it.
If you've been there (and I assume we all have) you know that there is a clear demarcation where the concourse ends and the 100-level beings, because it's all on rails. (There's like a big plastic ring going around the stadium that you can't miss.)
And there is a huge amount of dead space underneath, as well as space occupied by the now-obsolete machinery.

So I suspect it will be at least a visually obvious a change as the current round. Firstly, if the 500-level pictures are any guideline, they will replace the light blue seats with new, dark blue ones. I've posted images before of other stadiums where the 100-level is kind of broken into a VIP section and then like a B-level, and I wouldn't be surprised if they did something like that here too (pic of Yankee Stadium attached as example). And this is a real amateur-hour drawing of how drastically they can bring the seating closer to the field.View attachment 451202View attachment 451203

It would be very cool if they would pull the 100-level seats closer to the field and pull the main concourse out so it's exposed to the open air! Would make the concourse feel a lot brighter and less crowded.

 

[maestro]

I agree, but it's better then nothing and will help until they get a new stadium in 10-12 years from now.

I wouldn't bet on that. The deals between owners and city, county, state/province contributions in this stadium building boom era aren't going to look any better in 10 to 12 years.

For the first time in its history, the building will be designed to watch baseball. Try it out first.

 

[toronto647]

I wouldn't bet on that. The deals between owners and city, county, state/province contributions in this stadium building boom era aren't going to look any better in 10 to 12 years.

For the first time in its history, the building will be designed to watch baseball. Try it out first.

Doubt we will get a new stadium in 10 years... try maybe 2050 at the earliest.

 

[isaidso]

Realistically, 2022-2040 we'll have the following:

• baseball specific Skydome
• multi- purpose arena for basketball and hockey
• an expanded BMO for football and soccer

 

[T.E.C.II]

Doubt we will get a new stadium in 10 years... try maybe 2050 at the earliest.

I'm sorry, 2050? At the earliest?

 

[Mercenary]

I'm sorry, 2050? At the earliest?

this renovation will buy the stadium additional 25 years. Then in 2050, they will talk about a new baseball stadium. It will probably 10-15 years after that before that opens. So we wont see a new stadium till 2065.

 

[Richard White]

this renovation will buy the stadium additional 25 years. Then in 2050, they will talk about a new baseball stadium. It will probably 10-15 years after that before that opens. So we wont see a new stadium till 2065.

I doubt the stadium will last 80 years. Maple Leaf Gardens only lasted 68 before it was closed.

 

[T.E.C.II]

Some frankly insane predictions in this thread. The idea that the Rogers Centre is going to be used by the Jays for another 40 years is absurd. So it's going to reach 76 years? I get people love this stadium, but come on, you have to be trolling.

I don't doubt the renovations will buy Rogers some time. Maybe 10-15 years. But everything Mark Shapiro has been saying suggests this is still being seen as a temporary fix. Even as enthusiastic as he is, he's been fairly consistent on this for the past few months.

 

[JMSRead]

Some frankly insane predictions in this thread. The idea that the Rogers Centre is going to be used by the Jays for another 40 years is absurd. So it's going to reach 76 years? I get people love this stadium, but come on, you have to be trolling.

I don't doubt the renovations will buy Rogers some time. Maybe 10-15 years. But everything Mark Shapiro has been saying suggests this is still being seen as a temporary fix. Even as enthusiastic as he is, he's been fairly consistent on this for the past few months.

Yes totally. Shapiro has been really clear that this reno should buy the dome another 10 to 15 years, at which point either a new stadium is built or the Skydome gets massively renovated.

 

[toronto647]

Yes totally. Shapiro has been really clear that this reno should buy the dome another 10 to 15 years, at which point either a new stadium is built or the Skydome gets massively renovated.

With the way Jays have been performing poorly in the playoffs in recent years, I highly doubt Shapiro will not get a contract extension once his contract runs out in 2026. Don't see why they would give him another 5 years if he hasn't shown any substancial on field results.

Once he is gone, there goes plans for a new stadium.

Imagine the real estate market in 15 years. You think the government will allow Rogers to demolish Rogers Centre and then build a shit load of condos / office towers and make $$$? With every year passing Rogers would have less and less leverage on the government who owns the lands. The current lease ends in 2088 (65 years to go). If you knock off another 15-20 years while Rogers decides what they want to do that will only give the government more leverage to hang on until the lease just ends.

Time will tell.

 

[JMSRead]

Realistically, 2022-2040 we'll have the following:

• baseball specific Skydome
• multi- purpose arena for basketball and hockey
• an expanded BMO for football and soccer

With Rogers Centre becoming more baseball centric, and the World Cup approaching in 2026, I'm really surprised there's been no talk of a new multi purpose stadium that could seat in the 60,000 + range and host large events, international soccer, and possibly be used as a lure for the NFL. When these renos are done, Rogers Centre really won't be 'multi purpose' in the way it used to be.

 

[JMSRead]

With the way Jays have been performing poorly in the playoffs in recent years, I highly doubt Shapiro will not get a contract extension once his contract runs out in 2026. Don't see why they would give him another 5 years if he hasn't shown any substancial on field results.

Jeff Blair was saying this week that one of the most impressive things about Shapiro's tenure is the way he's managed to navigate the Blue Jays ownership in a way that Paul Beeston never could. It's hard to argue. Rogers used to be really tight with spending on the club. Now they have the 5th highest payroll in MLB, a new player development complex, and a 300 million stadium renovation. And all just after the Covid years.

I know a lot of fans don't like Shapiro, and that's fine, but I think he's put the Jays in really good shape off the field. (And they're pretty good on the field too).

 

[toronto647]

Jeff Blair was saying this week that one of the most impressive things about Shapiro's tenure is the way he's managed to navigate the Blue Jays ownership in a way that Paul Beeston never could. It's hard to argue. Rogers used to be really tight with spending on the club. Now they have the 5th highest payroll in MLB, a new player development complex, and a 300 million stadium renovation. And all just after the Covid years.

I know a lot of fans don't like Shapiro, and that's fine, but I think he's put the Jays in really good shape off the field. (And they're pretty good on the field too).

Hes done a great job especially increasing the payroll, IMO the Blue Jays payroll should be higher. Right at the luxury tax cut off which is around 235 Mil this season and I believe the Jays are at 200 mil.

In any case even if he has done a great jobs, it doesn't mean anything if we don't start seeing playoff series wins. Without this, his contract will not be renewed in 2026.

 

[C-mac]

These reno's are simply lipstick on a pig. I don't think Shapiro is done at all with trying to convince Rogers to build a new stadium. It's been one of his biggest objectives since he got here, so I don't see why he would throw in the towel on it now.