OT: Rogers Centre to undergo $300 million renovation

[Coco Costanza]

Do they even have real grass yet??

I remember that being a topic over 10 years ago.

Not happening. Too complicated/expensive to do.

[Duffman100]

Not sure what they can do to even come close to a stadium like PNC.

Build somewhere else?

Problem is, I'm not sure there's really anywhere else they could build.

Not anywhere that would not drastically impact drawing a crowd. The dome is in the perfect spot.

Which means it would require a tear down and rebuild, which is... a 2-3 year commitment.

[GoRapstheoriginal]

Shapiro live with the broadcast team right now in game.

[M3tro]

Lots of space down in the Port Lands.

Rogers wouldn't pony up that coin alone though.

[Raptorfan2012]

Happy for the Jays, but when is Scotiabank arena going to get a major makeover? Its starting to show its age. Could really open up the arena a bit

[WuTang_CMB]

Rogers centre is a dump. Putting lipstick on a pig.

[C Court]

I’m going to the Jays game tomorrow. Rogers Centre is fine. Looking forward to the upgrades.

[GQStylin]

I don't get it. How the hell can you spend $300 million on renovations and only expect these upgrades to entend the life of the building for only another 10-15 years?!?!?!?! If you're going to spend money why not go all the way and make it the permanent home of the Jays and keep it as one of the major tourist attractions of Toronto and let the history of the building continue to grow?

The owners of Madison Square Gardens spent 1 billion to renovate that place. Surely it wouldn't cost that much to renovate Skydome more extensively so that it can be used for decades to come instead of 10-15 years right?

[Coco Costanza]

Not sure what they can do to even come close to a stadium like PNC.

Build somewhere else?

Problem is, I'm not sure there's really anywhere else they could build.

Not anywhere that would not drastically impact drawing a crowd. The dome is in the perfect spot.

Which means it would require a tear down and rebuild, which is... a 2-3 year commitment.

And to think, the pandemic would have been the perfect time to rebuild had the Blue Jays decided this option. And yet, it was the pandemic that put the kibosh on potential plans of a new stadium.

[Coco Costanza]

Rogers centre is a dump. Putting lipstick on a pig.

I keep seeing blase opinions like this, and I don't get it. We're getting substantial changes to the stadium. Maybe it's because I'm old enough to remember what it was like back in the day, but I think this is a dramatic improvement.

[Coco Costanza]

I don't get it. How the hell can you spend $300 million on renovations and only expect these upgrades to entend the life of the building for only another 10-15 years?!?!?!?! If you're going to spend money why not go all the way and make it the permanent home of the Jays and keep it as one of the major tourist attractions of Toronto and let the history of the building continue to grow?

The owners of Madison Square Gardens spent 1 billion to renovate that place. Surely it wouldn't cost that much to renovate Skydome more extensively so that it can be used for decades to come instead of 10-15 years right?

I think it's simply because management would really prefer the team play in a new stadium. I get the feeling there's maybe some things going on behind the scenes, because Shapiro, for as enthusiastic as he is about the renovations, keeps making cryptic comments regarding the stadium's future.

[HoopAndTheHarm]

I like most of what I've seen. Yes, the outside is still brutal but the improvements inside look interesting. Though some of the comments during the game tonight from Shapiro were curious, talking about creating a premiere destination patio whether there was a game or not. Sounds like they're trying to replicate/copy some of MLSE's moves with Real Sports, etc.
The only criticism I have are the angled areas in the outfield wall around the bullpens. With such a huge reno, there's no way there wasn't a better solution. It screams of someone trying to invent a gimmick for the playing field. "Oooo, you have to be careful playing in Toronto. Those angles on the walls will get you. One wrong bounce and the ball could go anywhere."

[brownbobcat]

Not sure what they can do to even come close to a stadium like PNC.

Most of what people love about PNC isn't even part of the stadium itself.

[GQStylin]

I think it's simply because management would really prefer the team play in a new stadium. I get the feeling there's maybe some things going on behind the scenes, because Shapiro, for as enthusiastic as he is about the renovations, keeps making cryptic comments regarding the stadium's future.

But why move from there when you're a big tourist attraction right below the CN Tower and are located in the heart of the city with plenty of transit and businesses around? Why not look at Skydome as something we should preserve and build upon as apart of the city's history?

Seems like much of old Toronto is already getting torn down and cleared away for new crap. Can we not keep at least some things that made Toronto unique and interesting?

[Kingsway_fan]

I think it's simply because management would really prefer the team play in a new stadium. I get the feeling there's maybe some things going on behind the scenes, because Shapiro, for as enthusiastic as he is about the renovations, keeps making cryptic comments regarding the stadium's future.

But why move from there when you're a big tourist attraction right below the CN Tower and are located in the heart of the city with plenty of transit and businesses around? Why not look at Skydome as something we should preserve and build upon as apart of the city's history?

Seems like much of old Toronto is already getting torn down and cleared away for new crap. Can we not keep at least some things that made Toronto unique and interesting?

You know you are in trouble as a city when your major attraction is an old stadium, lol

Moat people avoid going to downtown Toronto at all costs... massive traffic, expensive parking, decrepit....no Thanks...

[Fairview4Life]

Moat people avoid going to downtown Toronto at all costs

They do?

... massive traffic

Driverless cars?

[Huskies1947]

I don't get it. How the hell can you spend $300 million on renovations and only expect these upgrades to entend the life of the building for only another 10-15 years?!?!?!?! If you're going to spend money why not go all the way and make it the permanent home of the Jays and keep it as one of the major tourist attractions of Toronto and let the history of the building continue to grow?

The owners of Madison Square Gardens spent 1 billion to renovate that place. Surely it wouldn't cost that much to renovate Skydome more extensively so that it can be used for decades to come instead of 10-15 years right?

I think it's simply because management would really prefer the team play in a new stadium. I get the feeling there's maybe some things going on behind the scenes, because Shapiro, for as enthusiastic as he is about the renovations, keeps making cryptic comments regarding the stadium's future.

This for sure is short term - long term they want to rebuild in the same area but use the land for an entertainment district with bars, hotels and shops. Lots of land unused due to poor planning. It's gonna take time doing that thus this is the short term option. I'm actually loving the renovation ideas. The turf is a lot better now with the infield being actual dirt now. They are making the dimensions like a real ballpark and most important they are fixing the seating in the lower bowl that was designed to be on rails to move for football games.

This left infield seats make people strain their neck lol.

[anotherhomer]

300 million and no grass
And that's ok for rogers?

But not a salary raise for ujiri

[tms]

I don't get it. How the hell can you spend $300 million on renovations and only expect these upgrades to entend the life of the building for only another 10-15 years?!?!?!?! If you're going to spend money why not go all the way and make it the permanent home of the Jays and keep it as one of the major tourist attractions of Toronto and let the history of the building continue to grow?

The owners of Madison Square Gardens spent 1 billion to renovate that place. Surely it wouldn't cost that much to renovate Skydome more extensively so that it can be used for decades to come instead of 10-15 years right?

I think it's simply because management would really prefer the team play in a new stadium. I get the feeling there's maybe some things going on behind the scenes, because Shapiro, for as enthusiastic as he is about the renovations, keeps making cryptic comments regarding the stadium's future.

Wayyyy back- long before any talk of a new stadium- I heard the Dome was structurally flawed and sinking a few inches/yr on an angle. That they would have to knock it down "soon" lest it become a permanent sinkhole next to the CN Tower. I'm no Alex Jones but I can't help but think about that now

[El Mas Chingon]

I think it's simply because management would really prefer the team play in a new stadium. I get the feeling there's maybe some things going on behind the scenes, because Shapiro, for as enthusiastic as he is about the renovations, keeps making cryptic comments regarding the stadium's future.

But why move from there when you're a big tourist attraction right below the CN Tower and are located in the heart of the city with plenty of transit and businesses around? Why not look at Skydome as something we should preserve and build upon as apart of the city's history?

Seems like much of old Toronto is already getting torn down and cleared away for new crap. Can we not keep at least some things that made Toronto unique and interesting?

You know you are in trouble as a city when your major attraction is an old stadium, lol

Moat people avoid going to downtown Toronto at all costs... massive traffic, expensive parking, decrepit....no Thanks...

You don't go out much in Toronto, do you? The city is FULL of locals and tourists taking in all that summer in Toronto has to offer. Is there traffic? yes. Is there construction? Yes. Does it stop people? Only if you're old and crusty. Does it stop me? Yes. Cause I'm getting old and crusty. But I can still appreciate how much fun there is to be had.