Two years and 400 million dollars after the project first got underway following the Blue Jays’ Wild Card exit curtesy of the Mariners, the Rogers Centre’s major multi-staged renovation is almost complete.
The experience has been completely modernized, turning a once basic, cookie cutter, multi-purpose dome that consistently ranked among the MLB’s weakest venues into a respectable home ground, with a ballpark feel comparable to some of the league’s finest.
While last year’s renovation saw the grand opening of the ‘Outfield District’, this year sees the opening of the new and improved lower bowl, replacing the moveable old one with one specifically designed for baseball. It’s elevated near the foul pole to improve the sight line for fans, allowing less heads to get in the way of higher seats. The seats are now closer than before resulting in a decreased foul territory, and were completely replaced with new more comfortable ones with cushions, and perhaps the biggest win of the whole renovation, the addition of cupholders.
There are aesthetic differences that set the lower bowl apart from what it once was. The backstop has been completely redone with grey brick to give it more of an old school feel.
Image Credit: CP24
There has been an increased usage of LED screens around the Dome, where there were once turn style ads, there is now a full LED display, as well as thin strips along the top of the dugouts. The dugouts are more spacious and are located further away from home plate than before to provide a better experience for the players as well.
New turf has been implemented that replaces the old one that was used for when both the Jays and the Argos were being accommodated, which isn’t needed now since the Argos have moved and made a home at BMO Field, which is also set for expansion for the 2026 World Cup. The foul ground has been reduced significantly, by 3000 square feet to be more specific, which should make it much more difficult for players to catch foul balls.
There have also been some slight alterations to the outfield district, the bleacher section that was introduced last season is now sponsored by Canada Dry, rather fitting, and will be called the Canada Dry Bleachers. The Catch Bar also has a new ‘The Score’ sign added above it, along with seats underneath in front of the bullpen. The Beautitone Balcony has also been given a bit of a face lift, with the giant paint roller once on the face of it, being replaced with a giant paint brush that I for one hope at least one homer is hit off of this season.
Image Credit: Blog TO
However, as said at the beginning, it’s almost complete, as there is still a major factor of this new lower bowl experience that has yet to be completed, that being the exclusive clubs. These will consist of the TD Lounge, the Rogers Banner Club, and the Blueprint Club, which will offer unique experience for Blue Jays fans that are able to afford such premiums. These will open midway through this season.
Image Credit: City News Toronto
Another interesting aspect is a sideline area along the third base line that was boarded off. We have seen in the past concept arts that they are looking to have a section underneath the landing that might act as another club of sorts, not a lot of information is known about it just yet.
The only thing lacking in this new renovation is that the long hated foul nets are here to stay over getting actual foul poles, maybe someday.
New food was also shown off during these renovations. For Italian fans such as myself, they have included tiramisu and cannolis to their menu. Other introductions include Crush beverage floats, Jamaican beef patties, Chungchun fried rice dogs, maple bacon hot dogs, loaded mac and cheese, and iced coffee with little Blue Jays hats on them. Prices are unknown, but in all likelihood, you might have to fork over more than you’re comfortable with.
No matter what you think of Mark Shapiro, you can’t deny the his help ushering in an era of transformation at our stale park, and creating a quality experience for baseball fans in Toronto that is admirable, and hopefully it will get to see use as the home of the Blue Jays for the foreseeable future. The home opener for the Blue Jays is tonight, April 8th. If this season has shown us anything so far it is yet to be another roller coaster of emotions, but at least this year Jays fans can do it in style and comfort.