OT: Rogers Centre to undergo $300 million renovation

[Raps in 4]

As an athlete, it's bad business decision to take so much long term injury with knees by playing in turf vs grass

They need to make the turf, more knee friendly

Modern turf is fine. A lot of MLB and NFL stadiums use it now.

[Raps in 4]

People just don't remember what it was like going to a game at Exhibition Stadium in April, May, and October. Are you going to a baseball game to watch the game or eat fancy food and see beautiful scenery over the outfield wall? Putting in patio seating is just an admission that the game is boring. The only upgrade I've ever wanted is natural grass.

Without a roof there is no way I'm traveling 2 1/2 hours if there is any chance of bad weather.

Watch on YouTube

Minneapolis is significantly colder/snowier than Toronto, yet the Twins manage just fine in an outdoor park. Chicago, Milwaukee, and Detroit are similarly cold/snowy, and they also pull it off.

Sure, there is an elevated chance of bad weather ruining a game, but it doesn't happen everyday.

The Skydome feels claustrophobic. You don't see anything around you. Having a view of the city skyline or some natural scenery goes a long way in improving the stadium experience.

[rrdjutriurt]

Supply chains and commodity procurement is causing all kinds of construction issues these days. Sure hope they have the logistics of all that figured out considering their tight time frame. If not we could end up without a stadium on opening day.

[Raps in 4]

Supply chains and commodity procurement is causing all kinds of construction issues these days. Sure hope they have the logistics of all that figured out considering their tight time frame. If not we could end up without a stadium on opening day.

It's Rogers we're talking about. Of course they're on top of things. They have the most reliable network in the world. Renovating a stadium is child's play for them.

[duppyy]

This is just Rogers being cheap again. We need a new stadium, not renovations to this giant garage that doubles as a crappy baseball stadium.

I like to **** on rogers as much as the next guy but building a new stadium would be stupid. Just scrapping something that they invested a lot of money on already for something new is not the best business decision.

They just have to slap lipstick on a pig at this point, make it look as good as possible each year.

Just wish they would change the name back to Skydome.

[720]

Grass is not possible, and will likely never be put in. Unlike other domed stadiums that are outdoor stadiums that can close, the Rogers Centre is a stadium that can open. It was never designed to be an outdoor stadium.

Because of this, there are a number of problems when it comes to trying to grow grass:

- There's no drainage system. You have to understand the ground underneath the playing surface is all concrete. I believe this was the biggest issue regarding growing grass

- Since the stadium isn't designed to be open all the time, they would need a lighting system

- Moisture would apparently also be an issue

- They would also have to grow the grass field elsewhere, then figure out how to move it into the stadium at a time when the weather is generally pretty cold, since the start of the season is in April

I think the biggest mistake Rogers made was in putting the idea into people's heads in the first place.

I've never understood why fans ever cared about grass - that different shade of green is really going to add to your viewing experience?

Because players have been complaining about turf causing injuries for decades. Obviously our fans want stars to feel comfortable playing here for the longterm.

Also, yes the playing surface in baseball does change the viewing experience a lot. The way the ball bounces is important.

You should think before typing next time.

Turf technology has improved a lot and a few teams have switched from grass to turf the past few years. It’s not a big deal like how it used to be.

[rrdjutriurt]

Supply chains and commodity procurement is causing all kinds of construction issues these days. Sure hope they have the logistics of all that figured out considering their tight time frame. If not we could end up without a stadium on opening day.

It's Rogers we're talking about. Of course they're on top of things. They have the most reliable network in the world. Renovating a stadium is child's play for them.

Yes, just like creating a reliable internet and cellular network that doesn't fail
. Things happen, there are shortages everywhere, construction being delayed and cancelled everywhere these days. Often due to such simple things as just the lack of availability of concrete, iron. Costs going thru the roof due to lack of availability of basically every commodity.

These are things everyone is having trouble with from Apple, to all the major car companies. Being a major corporation like Rogers doesn't make them immune to these challenges in no way.

Do like the new outfield configuration though. Looks like it will become even more of a home run park.

[rrdjutriurt]

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."

True but having a unique field configuration also always proves to be most beneficial to the home team.

[Dennis 37]

People just don't remember what it was like going to a game at Exhibition Stadium in April, May, and October. Are you going to a baseball game to watch the game or eat fancy food and see beautiful scenery over the outfield wall? Putting in patio seating is just an admission that the game is boring. The only upgrade I've ever wanted is natural grass.

Without a roof there is no way I'm traveling 2 1/2 hours if there is any chance of bad weather.

Watch on YouTube

Minneapolis is significantly colder/snowier than Toronto, yet the Twins manage just fine in an outdoor park. Chicago, Milwaukee, and Detroit are similarly cold/snowy, and they also pull it off.

Sure, there is an elevated chance of bad weather ruining a game, but it doesn't happen everyday.

The Skydome feels claustrophobic. You don't see anything around you. Having a view of the city skyline or some natural scenery goes a long way in improving the stadium experience.

The Skydome is warm and dry. Yes, bad weather does not happen every day, but bad weather could happen any day. Since almost no one, traveling 2 1/2 hours to get to a game, buy their tickets the same day as the game, there is no guarantee of good weather. If you are worried about what you see around you, you aren't invested in the game. It's the game that matters, and if the game doesn't hold your interest, why are you going?

The Scotiabank Arena is extremely claustrophobic, not to mention all the distractions like the music at every timeout, yet we still go to Raptor games. Why is that if there is no beautiful lake view scenery?

Look at NFL football stadiums, no scenery in any of them yet people still go. Why is that?

[Raps in 4]

People just don't remember what it was like going to a game at Exhibition Stadium in April, May, and October. Are you going to a baseball game to watch the game or eat fancy food and see beautiful scenery over the outfield wall? Putting in patio seating is just an admission that the game is boring. The only upgrade I've ever wanted is natural grass.

Without a roof there is no way I'm traveling 2 1/2 hours if there is any chance of bad weather.

Watch on YouTube

Minneapolis is significantly colder/snowier than Toronto, yet the Twins manage just fine in an outdoor park. Chicago, Milwaukee, and Detroit are similarly cold/snowy, and they also pull it off.

Sure, there is an elevated chance of bad weather ruining a game, but it doesn't happen everyday.

The Skydome feels claustrophobic. You don't see anything around you. Having a view of the city skyline or some natural scenery goes a long way in improving the stadium experience.

The Skydome is warm and dry. Yes, bad weather does not happen every day, but bad weather could happen any day. Since almost no one, traveling 2 1/2 hours to get to a game, buy their tickets the same day as the game, there is no guarantee of good weather. If you are worried about what you see around you, you aren't invested in the game. It's the game that matters, and if the game doesn't hold your interest, why are you going?

The Scotiabank Arena is extremely claustrophobic, not to mention all the distractions like the music at every timeout, yet we still go to Raptor games. Why is that if there is no beautiful lake view scenery?

Look at NFL football stadiums, no scenery in any of them yet people still go. Why is that?

All outdoor sports would benefit from stadiums with more scenic views. But of course, owners don't want to give up seating capacity to make that happen. Baseball, due to how many games there are in a season to dilute attendance, gets away with lower capacity stadiums.

The Scotiabank Arena is extremely claustrophobic, not to mention all the distractions like the music at every timeout, yet we still go to Raptor games. Why is that if there is no beautiful lake view scenery?

I don't know, maybe because basketball and hockey are indoor sports?

I'm not saying that I need a skyline or lake view to enjoy a sport, just that it makes the experience more comfortable and enjoyable. Having a nice view of the city in the background and a cool lake breeze blowing over you doesn't preclude you from enjoying the sporting event. It enhances the experience.

[Coco Costanza]

Looking at close ups of the renders for the stadium, one detail I hadn't noticed before was there is now a section in the right field wall for fans to sit behind and watch the game. They really seem to being encouraging a much more relaxed vibe with patio style sections, a section with bleacher style seating, etc. With how long baseball games are, and how small the seats are, this is a welcome change, as it would at least encourage fans to explore areas outside the section that you bought tickets for.

It's still a shame about that hotel, though, and I wish Rogers could just buy it from so they could open up the stadium even more, let more light in.

[deeps6x]

Is Rogers paying for the whole cost? Or is the city involved?

[Coco Costanza]

Is Rogers paying for the whole cost? Or is the city involved?

I believe it's Rogers/privately funded.

[WuTang_CMB]

Looking at close ups of the renders for the stadium, one detail I hadn't noticed before was there is now a section in the right field wall for fans to sit behind and watch the game. They really seem to being encouraging a much more relaxed vibe with patio style sections, a section with bleacher style seating, etc. With how long baseball games are, and how small the seats are, this is a welcome change, as it would at least encourage fans to explore areas outside the section that you bought tickets for.

It's still a shame about that hotel, though, and I wish Rogers could just buy it from so they could open up the stadium even more, let more light in.

Agree that hotel is dingy looking from inside ballpark. Should have gotten rid of it somehow.

[brownbobcat]

Because players have been complaining about turf causing injuries for decades. Obviously our fans want stars to feel comfortable playing here for the longterm.

Also, yes the playing surface in baseball does change the viewing experience a lot. The way the ball bounces is important.

You should think before typing next time.

I specifically said fans and not players. "The way the ball bounces?" That's one of the stupidest things I've ever read.

[Hero]

There's a big difference in experiencing a game at the Rogers Centre vs some of the other stadiums. For example -





Does it have the same feel as opposed to..

[Coco Costanza]

Incidentally, Camden Yards, for all its acclaim, is failing to draw fans to the games, and the team is near the bottom of the league in terms of attendance. PNC Park, often described as being the best ballpark in the league, is also near the bottom.

[Raps in 4]

Incidentally, Camden Yards, for all its acclaim, is failing to draw fans to the games, and the team is near the bottom of the league in terms of attendance. PNC Park, often described as being the best ballpark in the league, is also near the bottom.

The Pirates and Orioles suck all the time. Pittsburgh and Baltimore are also small/poor cities. The low attendance has nothing to do with the ballparks, which are two of the best in the league. Compare these marvels of design to the giant garage with seats we call a ballpark.

[Dennis 37]

Looking at close ups of the renders for the stadium, one detail I hadn't noticed before was there is now a section in the right field wall for fans to sit behind and watch the game. They really seem to being encouraging a much more relaxed vibe with patio style sections, a section with bleacher style seating, etc. With how long baseball games are, and how small the seats are, this is a welcome change, as it would at least encourage fans to explore areas outside the section that you bought tickets for.

It's still a shame about that hotel, though, and I wish Rogers could just buy it from so they could open up the stadium even more, let more light in.

The trade off for an nice breeze is a heavy down pour in which one gets soaked and the game gets delayed for two hours and then resumes while you shiver in your wet clothes. Or one freezes their butt off in April, May and October.

I'm with you on making seats wider, but not with you on having to go exploring. Baseball is a game that has to have your full attention or you will miss a lot of it. The defensive player movement on the field is not shown well in replays. Having to do these other things to hold the fans' interest, just demonstrates that a lot of people, who attend, don't really like the game.

[Dennis 37]

There's a big difference in experiencing a game at the Rogers Centre vs some of the other stadiums. For example -





Does it have the same feel as opposed to..

Did you enjoy the game son?

Yes dad. Even though the Orioles lost 22-3, I was able to appreciate the sight of the side of an old factory/warehouse all game long.