Blue Jays reveal big changes to Rogers Centre ahead of $300M renovation
Posted July 28, 2022 1:30 pm.
Last Updated July 28, 2022 7:07 pm.
It’s long been rumoured and in the works. Now, the Toronto Blue Jays have made it official: A full-scale, $300-million renovation at the Rogers Centre designed to transform the 33-year-old stadium into a ballpark.
The baseball club formally unveiled its multi-year, privately funded renovation with a central focus on modernizing the fan experience and building world-class player facilities.
Sportsnet reported in March that the Blue Jays would begin a significant renovation of Rogers Centre next off-season, overhauling the stadium’s lower bowl and concourses in a project expected to be completed in time for the beginning of the 2024 MLB season.
The organization confirmed on Thursday that the new projects will be phased over the coming two-to-three offseasons and focus solely on the interior of Rogers Centre, including the 100-level and 200-level outfield, 500-level and 100-level infield, and field level.
The latest upgrades will not include the exterior, turf field or retractable roof. Projects will be completed during the offseason “so as to not impact baseball activity in-season,” the Blue Jays said in a news release.
An aerial photo of the Rogers Centre, as designed by the Toronto Blue Jays. Image: Blue Jays.
On Thursday, Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro said Rogers Communications and the organization are “committed to building a sustainable championship organization for years to come.”
“This renovation to Rogers Centre will give new and lifelong Blue Jays fans a ballpark where they can proudly cheer on their team,” Shapiro said.
“This project would not be possible without the support of Edward Rogers, Tony Staffieri, and our Rogers ownership group, who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the Blue Jays, both in fielding the best team to win championships, as well as in the infrastructure needed to create a modern ballpark for our fans and players.”
RELATED: Toronto Blue Jays renovate Rogers Centre with new scoreboard, lights, and concessions
Ed Rogers, Chair of the Blue Jays and Chair of the Board at Rogers Communications, said the new additions would enhance the fan experience for Canada’s baseball team.
“We proudly support the efforts of Mark and the entire Blue Jays leadership team as they embark on this project, and we have the utmost confidence in their ability to build both a winning team on the field and a modern ballpark that meets the evolving needs of our passionate Blue Jays fans.”
What’s new for the 2023 season at Rogers Centre
The Blue Jays say these enhancements are expected to be ready in time for Opening Day 2023.
The project intends to buy the Blue Jays 10-15 years to envision a longer-term solution for the aging, ancient building.
100-level and 200-level outfield
- Creation of multiple new social spaces with patios, drink rails, bars, and viewing platforms.
- Raised bullpens surrounded by traditional and new bleacher seats, as well as social viewing areas that look into the bullpens to increase fan and player interaction.
- 100L seats brought forward to the new outfield walls to bring fans closer to the game.
500 level
- Two new social decks in right and left field
- Replacing every 500L seat from the originals when the building opened
An aerial photo of the Rogers Centre, as designed by the Toronto Blue Jays. Photo: Blue Jays.
Field Level
- Players’ family room
- 5,000 square foot weight room
- Staff locker rooms
A view of the right field corner. Photo courtesy: Toronto Blue Jays.
The Blue Jays said additional renovations will be made to the 100-level infield, field-level premium clubs and social spaces and clubhouses and player facilities in 2023 and 2024.
Shapiro announced the baseball club is again working with Populous on architectural design. Populous designed Toronto’s recently upgraded, $100-million multi-dimensional complex in Dunedin, Fla.
The organization unveiled that player development training superstructure in early 2021, which Shapiro called “the best complex in all of Major League Baseball.”
The Blue Jays enter Thursday’s home game against the Detroit Tigers with a 54-44 record, good for second place in the American League East.
The Jays are 11-and-a-half games back of the New York Yankees, who acquired outfielder Andrew Benintendi late Wednesday.
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