OT: Rogers Centre to undergo $300 million renovation

[El Mas Chingon]

Double post

[El Mas Chingon]

Triple post. Whoops sorry

[Tha Cynic]

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

I finally went off a hockey game last season and man the experience is so boring compared to a basketball game. I just looked at my buddy and asked him if there's nothing other than people cleaning the ice when no one is playing. The place is dark and dingy and basically zero fan experience.

[El Mas Chingon]

I think the Dome is pretty cool. Not as amazing as some American ball parks. But still ok.

I've worked there as a teenager in the 90s and been going ever since. Personally I don't get what's changed. All they do is add more tv screens. I find it oversaturated.

All I want is better seats, real grass and cheaper food and beer. You're telling me that $300 million can't get us real grass?

No need to tear it down. The environmental cost is massive and unnecessary. Its not like they'll replace it with another retractable roof stadium. So it's gonna be miserably cold, wet or unbearably hot at various points. Just add some skylights and extra AC to prepare for the climate apocalypse. And cheaper beer FFS!

[Tha Cynic]

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.

Yeah and they're making changes in stages so we don't even know what they're doing to the infield yet. The changes they make this offseason to the outfield area alone will completely transform the experience. The tickets are also cheap enough where you just in there to hang out. I'm actually intrigued about the outfield area more then near the plate.

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

But not a salary raise for ujiri

The new turf they use seems fine. It even looks like real grass somewhat. The biggest issue with the turf was players complaining about injuries, but that hasn't happened since they started putting in the new turf. There's also drainage issues for real grass.

[douggood]

i would have liked them to get rid of some 500 section and have a glass wall there, more natural light/airness to stadium
i read they are getting bigger seats, thus reducing capacity from 50k to around 40k. thats a better number.

they are plans on building union park to the north of the stadium(not jays plan but hopefully they have input/take part in it), if done right it will be a nice new gateway to rogers center

https://www.unionparkto.com/

[WuTang_CMB]

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.

Ya we’ll see. Skydome has been a garbage experience for many years now. Far last at the bottom of mlb in terms of fan experience and iv been to almost all of the ballparks except for baltimore. Food is disgusting too. They got scammed into a contract with Aramark which they are trying to break.

[brownbobcat]

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...

Ahh, the old - "nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded".

[ontnut]

I think it looks much better than it does now, esp the outfield. Shapiro said it should be a 3 phase process starting the the 500 level iirc.

Personally I don't go to the RC that much, but that's more out of lack of friends that want to watch baseball than anything. When I did go it did feel a bit sterile. I think this is an improvement.

On the subject of grass, i really don't care if it's real or not, but why do fans care? You're not playing on it, and it looks real enough, so what's the gripe? I truly don't understand why it's such a common complaint. It's obviously more expensive to upkeep than turf, and that cost will only be passed onto you in either higher prices, or less spending elsewhere.

I also don't particularly care about the exterior appearance. Sure it's kinda ugly, but you're going there to watch the game inside, not stare at the facades..

[ontnut]

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...

Ahh, the old - "nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded".

lol

1) Is the RC really a major attraction? I don't think I've ever been asked "What should I do in Toronto?" and answered "Go check out the Rogers Centre".

2) "Most people" as in "some of the people you know?" Makes me wonder why there's always traffic on the southbound highways and Gardiner heading into the city, esp on weekends. I agree, it's not for everyone, but it's ridiculous to suggest that the majority of Toronto avoids downtown, when it's always busy...

[rocky_da_best]

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...

Ahh, the old - "nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded".

lol

1) Is the RC really a major attraction? I don't think I've ever been asked "What should I do in Toronto?" and answered "Go check out the Rogers Centre".

2) "Most people" as in "some of the people you know?" Makes me wonder why there's always traffic on the southbound highways and Gardiner heading into the city, esp on weekends. I agree, it's not for everyone, but it's ridiculous to suggest that the majority of Toronto avoids downtown, when it's always busy...

20-25 years ago it may have been a "cool" spot to check out with the roof and everything lol

[Coco Costanza]

Personally I don't get what's changed. All they do is add more tv screens. I find it oversaturated.

Here's what changes they've made recently

- New turf

- New, larger Jumbotron

- New lighting system. Apparently it allows for more "natural" light

And here's the future changes they'll make

- New outfield. They're bringing the seats in centre field closer to the wall, so there's no longer a gap between the wall and fans, meaning there's no home run balls being lost in the gap

- New outfield wall, with less symmetrical dimensions

- New batter's eye

- Seats will now face the batter's box

- Raised bullpens

- Seats in 500 level will be taken out, new seats/tables will be put in

- New standing areas, tons of cosmetic changes here and there

Here's what the stadium looked like when it opened



And here's what it will look like in 2 or 3 years



I can't overstate this, it will be night and day from what it was

[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.

Ya we’ll see. Skydome has been a garbage experience for many years now. Far last at the bottom of mlb in terms of fan experience

Really? You have it below Tropicana Field? The Coliseum in Oakland? I get that there are better ballparks out there, but the Rogers Centre is far from the worst in baseball.

[WuTang_CMB]

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.

Ya we’ll see. Skydome has been a garbage experience for many years now. Far last at the bottom of mlb in terms of fan experience

Really? You have it below Tropicana Field? The Coliseum in Oakland? I get that there are better ballparks out there, but the Rogers Centre is far from the worst in baseball.

Ya u can group those all at the far bottom

The bottom line is it’s an awful fan experience overall between the disgusting food, comfort/views of game, concourse, amenities. A reno should have happend many moons ago.

[Coco Costanza]

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

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.

[brownbobcat]

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

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?

[douggood]

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

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.

all the domed stadiums have gone turf.
even the new ones that were built with grass in mind have switched to turf.

miami marlins have turf now after a few years with real grass. texas rangers new domed stadium has turf, diamond backs domes stadium has turf. (tampa/toronto are the other dome teams with turf)

[tripa]

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

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.

[anotherhomer]

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

[Raps in 4]

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.