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

You can start to see The Well's easternmost building peek out from behind the stadium from the inside. Had no idea it would be that visible.
 
You can't just rotate the field because you fee like it. Although a multi purpose stadium the building was still built to accommodate the field as is. Even with the 100 level seats rotate, you would wind up with an oval (designed for football) not a square/diamond shaped stands. Furthermore there would need to be many changes made; concrete dug out so that new pits for the pitching mound and infield dirt area, dugouts and locker room facilities relocates (and access hallways, etc), bull pens, outfields wall footings, and not to mention that the remaining outfield seats would be further away from the field than in the current configuration. The cost would begin to near the price of a fully new structure.

Any new stadium will need a roof, full stop. I know people point out other outdoor stadiums like Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, and Minnesota. However I feel the biggest difference is that, despite Toronto's long baseball history, there simply isn't the culture of going to the ballpark and putting up with the weather like there is in the above noted cities. I worked for the Blue Jays years ago and you wouldn't believe how many people would say to me, on a clear sunny day in the mid teens, "oh it's cold, why won't you close the roof", you would be laughed at in any other city for saying that but in Toronto it's not the case. In places like Detroit and Chicago they have been dealing with early/late season weather for over a century now, and so culturally it's just kind of baked into the equation. Further I will note that there are some in Minnesota who have already complained about the lack of a roof at their new ballpark, and IIRC the twins have had to play some home games at other teams buildings (Milwaukee?), due to weather at their stadium.

That being said I'm encouraged by the TFC fan base and their willingness to stick it out in the weather. Sure there are fewer games (once, maybe twice a week), shorter game times, smaller crowds, less prevalent indoor soccer stadiums, etc, etc, but TFC also begins their season in March and can go into November depending on a playoff run. TFC fans just seem to know that they need to bundle up and be prepared for an outdoor event (particularly during the shoulder season in spring/late fall) more so than the blue jays fan base. If that culture could rub off on the blue jays fanbase than maybe an open air stadium could be possible.
 
I can't imagine going to a game, on a nice sunny day, and saying "close the roof". Like, the atmosphere is night and day when the roof is closed. Most fans want the roof open.

While it's likely a new stadium would need a roof of some sorts, it wasn't too long ago that the Blue Jays and Argos played their games outdoors. Fans were able to stick it out.
 
I've sat outdoors for April ballgames in both Chicago and NYC. Weather wise both were relatively tame, sunny weekend affairs with temperatures in the 10 to 15C range. Even with the sunlight, both were chilly after multiple beverages and sitting for 3+ hours. All northern MLB cities deal with weather related delays to start the season and I would wager the weather puts a damper on attendance numbers, especially if the team is uncompetitive.

If the Jays do decide to incorporate a retractable roof into a new stadium design then by all means go for it. Said roof does not have to be as complex and temperature controlled like the current stadium. The only necessities are to shield fans from the elements and prevent rainouts. Cold weather would still necessitate bundling up even with a covered roof.
 
Translude15 said:
I've sat outdoors for April ballgames in both Chicago and NYC. Weather wise both were relatively tame, sunny weekend affairs with temperatures in the 10 to 15C range. Even with the sunlight, both were chilly after multiple beverages and sitting for 3+ hours. All northern MLB cities deal with weather related delays to start the season and I would wager the weather puts a damper on attendance numbers, especially if the team is uncompetitive.
Click to expand...

Weather puts a damper on TV rights value too (half of MLB revenue). A predictable schedule is worth far more to a station than an unpredictable one.
 
I don't think people would have a problem with the weather in an open-air stadium. The Jays played in an open air stadium for nearly 15 years before relocating to SkyDome.

That said, it would be wise for any new stadium to have a retractable roof.

It probably makes the most sense to just stick with the stadium they already have.
 
T.E.C.II said:
I can't imagine going to a game, on a nice sunny day, and saying "close the roof". Like, the atmosphere is night and day when the roof is closed. Most fans want the roof open.

While it's likely a new stadium would need a roof of some sorts, it wasn't too long ago that the Blue Jays and Argos played their games outdoors. Fans were able to stick it out.
Click to expand...

The Argos do play their games outside. At BMO field.
 
sixrings said:
That was when prices were more reasonable. I think open air as much as I like it isn’t a great idea.
Click to expand...

Anyone who has gone to an outdoor game can tell you that the weather makes all the difference. If I am not mistaken, the whole reason they wanted a domed stadium for the Jays was because of all the weather issues at Exhibition Stadium.

The first ever Jays game was played in the snow...
 
a roof isn't an issue at all if they build an outdoor stadium that can close instead of an indoor stadium that opens (like we have now). that way we have an open air stadium and on rainy days, they just close the lid.
 
denfromoakvillemilton said:
Didn't we already do some for this place?
Click to expand...

They've spruced the place up a bit since 2019. New paint jobs, signage and décor in the concourses and spaces outside the stadium. The removal of 100 level OF seating to create a more open concourses actually looks really nice in person. They also added railings and glass paneling to that new OF section similar to what exists in the Flight Deck.
 
Has Rogers Centre changed their weather protocol for the retractable roof? I was driving by last weekend and saw the roof open despite some stormy clouds in the vicinity. Typically, if there was even the slightest chance of rain they would keep it closed.
 
UrbanOzz said:
a roof isn't an issue at all if they build an outdoor stadium that can close instead of an indoor stadium that opens (like we have now). that way we have an open air stadium and on rainy days, they just close the lid.
Click to expand...

Someone has been watching a Night at the Roxbury a little too much....
 
christiesplits said:
Has Rogers Centre changed their weather protocol for the retractable roof? I was driving by last weekend and saw the roof open despite some stormy clouds in the vicinity. Typically, if there was even the slightest chance of rain they would keep it closed.
Click to expand...

I think it has to do with Covid. The capacity is higher with the roof open.

When the roof is closed, they need to open all the exits for proper ventilation.
 
You must log in or register to post here.

Back
Top