Mark Shapiro, president of the Jays, says he wants to improve the “entertainment experience.” He told BNN Bloomberg that changes next year will affect “every minute of every game,” although he wouldn’t say what they were. Comments are welcome while open. The multipurpose Rogers Centre is a great big barn by comparison. Non-subscribers can read and sort comments but will not be able to engage with them in any way. Louisiana Tech baseball facility If the land could be freed up for sale, the team’s owners could put up a new, better ballpark somewhere else – on the Exhibition grounds to the west, the Port Lands to the east or Downsview to the north. Please log in to listen to this story. UPMC Park renovations (Erie SeaWolves), 2022 Ballparks "For me, it’s a fresh start. The Blue Jays also haven't confirmed how much they'll spend on the project, but initial figures suggest something in the $250-400 million range. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. The retractable-roof ballpark was something of a marvel when it first opened as the SkyDome in 1989, but its amenities are considered out-of-date by current Major League Baseball standards. Other suggestions are more cosmetic, like installing LED lighting and a better sound system. If a way can be found to put something better in its place, let the wrecking ball swing. The stadium is getting a new roof and other maintenance. Toronto Mayor John Tory opened up the discussion about the stadium’s future in a radio interview this month. Tointon Family Stadium renovations (Kansas State) "So what it really tries to do is extend the game before and after the actual games.". The Texas Rangers, meanwhile, are a partner in Texas Live!, a mixed-use development that surrounds Globe Life Park and will serve the retractable-roof Globe Life Field when it opens in 2020. Understandably, most of the Blue Jays’ efforts have been focused on the $80 million renovations at the … Taking out that great lump of a building would help open up a connection to the waterfront in a city that has managed to wall itself off from one of its greatest assets: the lake. … "That is definitely one of the things we've talked about, the journey of how fans get to the ballpark," says Sebastian Gatica, the Blue Jays' VP of fan engagement. Follow him on Twitter @StrashinCBC. Toyota Field (Rocket City Trash Pandas) Join the conversation The roof comes off and the exterior envelope of the Rogers Centre gets completely reclad into something more modern, probably a steel and glass structure to refresh the exterior look without being too tacky. Could Development Factor into Rogers Centre Renovations? That renovation included a reduction in seating capacity, more bars and restaurants and a pedestrian bridge that allows people outside the ballpark to catch a glimpse inside. Love it, or hate it, the Rogers Centre might be in need of a makeover and it looks like one's in the works for this 28-year-old stadium. Spear declined to say what he would do to improve the Rogers Centre… Full Disclaimer. "You can see with the Air Canada Centre, what the Raptors [and Maple Leafs] have done outside and how that's working so well in terms of those public spaces.". A new generation of more intimate stadiums started coming along soon after SkyDome welcomed its first fans. “I’m all for sharing and exchanging ideas,” Ryu said. The Rogers site has all sorts of potential. The Rogers Centre was originally designed as a multi-purpose venue so that it could also host the Toronto Argonauts (Canadian Football League). This article was published more than 1 year ago. Given 36 hours in a contest to come up with a way to enhance the fan experience at the Rogers Centre, the winning team's idea was to issue wristbands for fans to wear to the games. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. The Blue Jays say it's the preferred option and the technology exists to do it under a retractable dome, but no decision has been made. For others it's an event, a social thing. Love it, or hate it, the Rogers Centre might be in need of a makeover and it looks like one's in the works for this 28-year-old stadium.. The Blue Jays visited training complexes around baseball, but also expanded to the NFL, NCAA and other professional sports leagues when planning the renovations. New Marshall University ballpark Shapiro has said the installation and ongoing maintenance costs may make grass prohibitive. This translation has been automatically generated and has not been verified for accuracy. DUNEDIN, Fla. -- The Blue Jays’ renovations to their Spring Training home at TD Ballpark are a more publicly visible part of their ongoing Dunedin project, but the biggest piece of the puzzle is the extensive overhaul of their training complex. "You can see with the Air Canada Centre, what the Raptors [and Maple Leafs] have done outside and how that's working so well in terms of those public spaces.". That renovation included a reduction in seating capacity, more bars and restaurants and a pedestrian bridge that allows people outside the ballpark to catch a glimpse inside. Another question is whether the team will install natural grass. There has been a trend of MLB teams being involved in development initiatives around their ballparks. Officials hint that they want to renovate and modernize the stadium. Anything that I can help them with, I’m more than happy to share.". Nearly three decades later, the trend persists, and the Jays will finally try to tap into it. Tweet 9. They would serve three functions: besides being the fan's ticket to the game, they would provide exclusive access to pre- and post-game events, and light up when the Jays hit a home run. At the heart of the project is the value of bringing the Major League and Minor League sides together, which was not the case with the previous complex. Maybe second right now, that’s what I’m thinking.”, • If '19 was good to Bichette, get ready for '20. The bulk of the project is expected to be completed and functioning in July or August, with some extra pieces to follow. Tarnachowicz says many fans told his team they would still go to a game even if they knew the Jays would lose, suggesting the social experience can be as important as the action on the field. A renovated Rogers Centre would better meet the demands of the modern fan, Shapiro said. Nearly three decades later, the trend persists, and the Jays will finally try to tap into it. The CBC estimates that the team will spend between $250 to 400 million on this major league facelift. To that end, a group of students at Western's Ivey Business School has a few ideas. RELATED STORIES: Manfred Weighs in on Condition of Rogers Centre; Blue Jays Continue Push for Rogers Centre Renovation; Blue Jays Still Planning Rogers Centre Renovation; Dirt infield on tap for Rogers Centre; Blue Jays considering grass field at Rogers Centre. "So what it really tries to do is extend the game before and after the actual games.". During his time as the Cleveland Indians' president, he led the retrofit of Progressive Field. As for the inside of the Rogers Centre, the Blue Jays could look to make the facility more baseball friendly.