TORONTO – Last year, the Rogers Centre focused on improving the outfield area, and now it's time to enhance the 100-level seating, dugouts, and turf for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Team executives presented the latest changes to the downtown stadium on Thursday, highlighting the modernized lower bowl during a media tour.
Marnie Starkman, the team's executive vice-president of business operations, emphasized the focus on revamping the seating bowl to provide more space, legroom, cupholders, and a modern ballpark experience.
The recent renovation is part of the shift from a multi-purpose stadium to a venue prioritizing baseball, a challenging task for an aging domed stadium without natural grass.
The initial phase of renovations was completed for the 2023 season, introducing new bars, social areas, balconies, and seats in the outfield and 500-level sections.
Significant changes were made at field level, including raised bullpens and an adjusted outfield fence.
The latest renovations led the Blue Jays to begin the 2024 season with a 10-game road trip to finalize the changes, which were immediately noticeable upon entering the 35-year-old facility.
Originally designed for various sports and events, the new cushioned seats offer spectators a better view of the infield and home plate area.
The seating areas have been improved, bringing fans closer to the action, particularly along the foul screens.
The changes in the corner areas are particularly noticeable, with heightened walls and repositioned dugouts, as well as a new brick look for the backstop.
The team announced a reduction of about 3,000 square feet in foul territory, and a new artificial turf was installed for this season.
Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro described the lower bowl as completely re-imagined, extending from foul pole to foul pole.
During meetings with media groups, front-office members, workers could still be seen around the venue preparing for Monday’s home opener against the Seattle Mariners.
Certain player facilities and premium club areas are scheduled to be completed by mid-season, as the privately funded multi-year renovation, costing nearly $400 million, progresses as planned.
“Rogers Centre is the home of Canada’s baseball team. Rogers has proudly invested in the team and the ballpark, and I’m thrilled to see the renovations come to life,” said Rogers Communications chairman Edward Rogers in a release.
A total of 32 million pounds of materials were removed and recycled during both phases of the renovation. Additionally, around 6,500 cubic meters of concrete were poured, and 3.3 million pounds of structural steel were installed.
Starkman expressed the incredible scope of the project, highlighting the 18-month project completed in just five months to facilitate the bowl demolition and changes to bring fans closer to the field.
“And that meant emptying the bowl, digging, and rebuilding it to create different angles and provide various amenities.”
Starting the season with 10 consecutive away games against strong teams like Tampa Bay, Houston and New York is a tough early test for the team, but it was necessary for the final adjustments, Starkman said.
“We couldn’t play baseball today,” she said from the concourse area, accompanied by project management director Sanj Perera.
“It seems like we could see everything from here, but Sanj will confirm everything from city approval to ongoing construction below us, as well as amenities for the visiting and home teams, which need to be safe for people to use. We needed each day.”
The Blue Jays had no game on Thursday. They will end their road trip with a three-game series at Yankee Stadium starting Friday.
This report was originally published on April 4, 2024 by The Canadian Press.
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