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

From a new interview with Mark Shapiro on the Athletic - nothing really new

The fan reaction to the photos of the complex has been great, too. But the comment I saw was, “OK, now do the Rogers Centre.” Understanding a lot of other issues have taken priority over that project this past year, I at least wondered if checking the PDC off your to-do list allows Rogers Centre to move into the front-view window?

I would say that the lack of attention to Rogers Centre is not because it’s not a priority. It still remains one of the biggest opportunities for us as an organization and as a franchise moving forward. At some point in the next five to 10 years, it becomes not just an opportunity, it becomes a challenge that we have to tackle because of the age of the facility and of the building. What happened was there was a much larger-scale project that was being led by not just the Blue Jays, but more by Rogers and ownership. Understandably, the pandemic completely not just interrupted, but kind of stopped progress on that.

I would assume that once we get to a more regular and normal world and resumption of a more normal business climate, that some attention will be placed back on that. Because of the nature of that, though, I haven’t been able to focus on that. We still are focusing (on other upgrades). My call prior to this was a significant renovation of the batting cages and the service space. We have a new sound system that no one’s heard yet. We’re moving forward with plans for a new scoreboard. We’re going to continue to do what we have to do to the building to continue to both maintain it and modernize it incrementally. But some larger-scale attention is going to have to be paid to the building sometime in the next five to 10 years, for sure.
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Seems like covid has Rogers hands tied when it comes to what is to be done with the stadium. 🙁

As far as photos of the renovation, there was this photo, posted at Bluebird Banter, about two years ago

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I believe some seats were removed, so you can see more of the concourse.
 
Good thing that they aren't demolishing it, that would be tragic but not out of the realm of possibility.
 
T.E.C.II said:
Any new stadium will likely be built elsewhere. I think the current spot is too small to support a sliding roof stadium, for example.

I acknowledge that the Rogers Centre was (is) architecturally impressive. But is it a good baseball stadium? I think at best most would say it's adequate. It serves its purpose, but as a baseball stadium (its primary purpose), it leaves a lot to be desired.

You might feel a retro-style open air stadium is a "step backwards", but that's only if you're viewing things in terms of architecture, and not in terms of what fans actually want. And what do they typically want? Smaller, intimate stadiums, with real grass, and a feeling of going to a ballpark. All of the things the Rogers Centre lacks. There is a reason stadiums like the Rogers Centre stopped being built after Camden Yards opened.

PNC Park, Oracle Park, and Coors Field might not be the technical marvel the Rogers Centre is, but they are vastly superior baseball stadiums, and are usually rated high in terms of fan experience.

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The Rogers Centre is more modern, but paradoxically, that makes it feel more outdated.

The newer batch of stadiums with roofs aren't great, I'll admit. But they still feel more right for baseball than the Rogers Centre does. And that's only if we actually still want a domed stadium.

This render might be rough, but tell me a stadium with unobstructed views of the city's skyline, and boats and people in kayaks hoping to catch a home run ball hit into the water, wouldn't be awesome.

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I'm a new member so I'm a bit late on this, but that rendering is incredible.

Also, it's not just what the fans want, the players also prefer these stadiums.
 
C-mac said:
I'm a new member so I'm a bit late on this, but that rendering is incredible.

Also, it's not just what the fans want, the players also prefer these stadiums.
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Thanks! I only wish I could have made the angle more accurate, but I was just placing an existing stadium over the airport.
 
drum118 said:
Q: Is the Bremner line still being considered?

A: The Bremner line has always been identified as a longer-term potential for transit expansion. It will not be included in the 30% design for costing, which is the current scope for this project. Along the Bremner corridor there is also a new vision for the Rogers Centre and those plans are still evolving and will be something to address further down the line.
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I'm assuming this is from the Waterfront Transit stuff Q&A session ... however this would be gov confirmation now of a "new vision" for Rogers Center.
 
Kitsune said:
I'm assuming this is from the Waterfront Transit stuff Q&A session ... however this would be gov confirmation now of a "new vision" for Rogers Center.
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Regardless of the Roger Centre redevelopment, still don't need a Bremmer line period. It doesn't fit into a wide transit network and only good for a Bathurst line. It fail the smelling test for over 20 years and TTC keeps pushing it.
 
As for actual changes to the dome itself, new turf has been installed (and anything Roberto Alomar related has been removed - Level of Excellence, HOF banner).

Uncharacteristically optimistic me hopes this is the second last turf the dome will see.
 
G.L.17 said:
As for actual changes to the dome itself, new turf has been installed (and anything Roberto Alomar related has been removed - Level of Excellence, HOF banner).

Uncharacteristically optimistic me hopes this is the second last turf the dome will see.
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Why '"second last"? Even if we get a new stadium, your saying it would need at least one more to get it through the next 8-10 years before the new stadium?
 
C-mac said:
Why '"second last"? Even if we get a new stadium, your saying it would need at least one more to get it through the next 8-10 years before the new stadium?
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Basically, yes. Going back just over a decade, it looks like the Jays replace the turf about every 5 seasons.

Some other key features are mentioned in this article, mentioning an improved sound system and the new turf being affixed to the ground.

And if I'm not mistaken, I believe the roof is already open for tonight's return.
 
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