Richard White
Senior Member
It used to be. Exhibition Stadium used to be in what is now a parking lot. Part of the stadiums footprint is where BMO Field is currently.
Toronto Rogers Centre Renovations | ?m | ?s | Toronto Blue Jays | Populous
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It used to be. Exhibition Stadium used to be in what is now a parking lot. Part of the stadiums footprint is where BMO Field is currently.
ADRM
Senior Member
Lots of good thoughts unfolding here. For my part, I think the three most plausible scenarios, broadly in order of my personal preference, would be:
1. Exhibition Place: a) there's room; b) it's central; c) there's transit (and will soon be much more transit), including, importantly, a GO station, which is critical given that a sizeable chunk of Jays fans (and other Rogers Centre event-goers) use to get to and from the stadium; and d) no one seems super jazzed about the current Ex Place masterplan.
2. Rebuild in place: The Jays have in the last few years, partly as a result of the pandemic, pumped tens of millions of dollars into both Sahlen Field in Buffalo, and their spring training complex in Dunedin, and have had to figure out the logistical concerns associated with playing in those places. I imagine there's a phasing program where you could figure out a way to demolish and reconstruct while only missing two seasons. Obviously, from the team's perspective, that would entail a substantial amount of lost revenue (and would probably also hurt them with respect to player recruitment), but at the end of the day this will not be the team's decision, and the revenue hit would be weighed against the accretions associated with redevelopment (especially if a full redevelopment included a broader vision for decking, resi, and potentially some other mixed-use). This obviously carries the biggest benefits in terms of retaining the current A++ location.
3. Portlands, specifically in the plot of land owned by the Federal Government (ownership map below, in the extreme SW corner of the district), which is to my mind the only parcel in the Portlands that might actually make sense when one considers size of parcel; number of owners (one); proximity to planned transit; adjacent future uses; city-building potential, and other factors. This isn't as desirable from a location perspective given that, even in the fullness of time, it would require transfer(s) from a GO station.
4. Downsview. I hate this option for reasons that others have stated, but I could certainly see the bean counters liking it. It's by far the simplest.
1. Exhibition Place: a) there's room; b) it's central; c) there's transit (and will soon be much more transit), including, importantly, a GO station, which is critical given that a sizeable chunk of Jays fans (and other Rogers Centre event-goers) use to get to and from the stadium; and d) no one seems super jazzed about the current Ex Place masterplan.
2. Rebuild in place: The Jays have in the last few years, partly as a result of the pandemic, pumped tens of millions of dollars into both Sahlen Field in Buffalo, and their spring training complex in Dunedin, and have had to figure out the logistical concerns associated with playing in those places. I imagine there's a phasing program where you could figure out a way to demolish and reconstruct while only missing two seasons. Obviously, from the team's perspective, that would entail a substantial amount of lost revenue (and would probably also hurt them with respect to player recruitment), but at the end of the day this will not be the team's decision, and the revenue hit would be weighed against the accretions associated with redevelopment (especially if a full redevelopment included a broader vision for decking, resi, and potentially some other mixed-use). This obviously carries the biggest benefits in terms of retaining the current A++ location.
3. Portlands, specifically in the plot of land owned by the Federal Government (ownership map below, in the extreme SW corner of the district), which is to my mind the only parcel in the Portlands that might actually make sense when one considers size of parcel; number of owners (one); proximity to planned transit; adjacent future uses; city-building potential, and other factors. This isn't as desirable from a location perspective given that, even in the fullness of time, it would require transfer(s) from a GO station.
4. Downsview. I hate this option for reasons that others have stated, but I could certainly see the bean counters liking it. It's by far the simplest.
ChesterCopperpot
Senior Member
Yep - there's plaques in the parking lot south of BMO showing the location of the bases
Richard White
Senior Member
As well as an outline of the stadium apparently.
kotsy
Senior Member
Have you even been there? Doesn't sound like you have, which makes your opinion null when there are thousands of people that attend their clubbing events, concerts and patio restaurant.
Just because our clubbing scene is a joke compared to yesteryear, it doesn't mean we should continue to close down popular nightlife destinations and make our city even less fun.
Woodbridge_Heights
Senior Member
In a perfect world Portlands. Though I'd want to see a more significant transit station at the Unilever site (OL/DRL, GO/smart track, streetcar)
daptive
Senior Member
I’m just trying to follow the logic. Because the Entertainment District is gutted and the heyday of Toronto clubbing is gone, we should get rid of the last vestige of it?
I’m just old enough to remember the tail end of Toronto clubs and I know it’s not the same now, partly because our tastes and interests have changed. This doesn’t mean Rebel doesn’t have a place in our city.
I would argue we could use one more super club if I’m being honest and I know I’m their target audience.
C-mac
Senior Member
Was going to say the same thing. How ridiculous does someone have to be??? lol and get is straight...you're 5k off.
animatronic
Senior Member
Replace in place could work, but timings would be tight:
- remove roof and hotel in offseason
- play a year as an open stadium (note challenges with drainage)
- build a 5k stadium at York University or Downsview with temporary seating to 35k
- play 1-2 seasons at temp stadium
- build new stadium slightly offset from current so you can build and tear down at the same time
- remove roof and hotel in offseason
- play a year as an open stadium (note challenges with drainage)
- build a 5k stadium at York University or Downsview with temporary seating to 35k
- play 1-2 seasons at temp stadium
- build new stadium slightly offset from current so you can build and tear down at the same time
G.L.17
Senior Member
Technically 3k off; the Blue Jays were able to get 52,000 + during the World Series home games
thefreak
Active Member
The portlands location would be amazing. Imagine that view looking downtown. I don't see Rogers building it though. Best case Edward Rogers buys the team and builds his personal legacy with a new stadium. He definitely has the money to do it - and the ego too 
G.L.17
Senior Member
The portlands location would be amazing. Imagine that view looking downtown. I don't see Rogers building it though. Best case Edward Rogers buys the team and builds his personal legacy with a new stadium. He definitely has the money to do it - and the ego too
EddyMCD
Active Member
Just because the batters aren't looking at the skyline you could still have a cutout in the upper bowl down the 3rd base line that shows off the downtown skyline.
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syn
Senior Member
Given how quickly we seem to tire of stadiums, I'd rather it not be located on the Portlands.
To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure how pouring hundreds of millions into the current venue will only result in 10-15 more years. I feel like the place still has a lot of life left in it.
To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure how pouring hundreds of millions into the current venue will only result in 10-15 more years. I feel like the place still has a lot of life left in it.
syn
Senior Member
Go with me next time you'll have an amazing view.