Rogers Centre Improvements

[burlingtonbandit]

Nice Article by John Lott about the improvements RC needs over the next 5 years. One thing they are trying to do is install an all dirt infield for next season.

 

 

http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/mlb/toronto-blue-jays-installing-grass-at-rogers-centre-just-one-of-many-upgrades-planned-for-aging-stadium

 

Meanwhile, plenty of other changes are in store for the 26-year-old stadium, which has already undergone about $70-million worth of infrastructure improvements, many unseen by fans, in the past few years.

 

The entire PVC membrane over the stadium roof is worn out and must be replaced. As part of that project, the club will investigate the possibility of using material that will allow diffused sunlight to shine through and help nurture the grass.

The club will continue to repair and upgrade the rail system that allows the four sections of the roof to open and close. Work started two years ago and has continued through this season, Brooks said. Warped sections of the rails have been shaved. The computer system and motor systems will be significantly upgraded. When the job is done, the roof will open and close faster than it does now and will likely be able to open in cooler weather.

All stadium seats will be replaced. That project has also begun. Brooks said it may involve making the seats larger, which could result in the loss of 2,000 to 3,000 seats.

All of the stadium suites will be renovated. Brooks said the Rogers Centre has about 150 suites – most new stadiums have 50 to 60 – and the club plans to reduce the total and create more double suites to meet increasing demand from larger groups.

The former Hard Rock Café space above right field is due for renovation as a large group area. “Group sales space is one thing that we need more of,” Brooks said.

Plans also include upgrades and new kitchens in concession areas; more space for the Blue Jays Shop, which is often packed on game days; replacement of the exterior stadium awning and the paving stones around the stadium; and renovating the plaza on the west side where Fan Fest is held.

[Stangstag]

If they could at least get a dirt infield that would be great. We are literally the only field in the majors without one. I'm confident Shapiro will make it happen though.

[Effit]

Dirt infield would be a sexy start. Hate not having it.

[Laika]

A roof with some transparency would be pretty sweet.

 

Bigger seats sounds amazing and necessary. Throw some cupholders on the back of them while they're at it.

[LGBJ29]

goodbye worlds fastest grounds crew. Thank f***

[burlingtonbandit]

A roof with some transparency would be pretty sweet.

 

Bigger seats sounds amazing and necessary. Throw some cupholders on the back of them while they're at it.

 

This was one thing I was hoping for. Rogers centre needs to remove some seats anyway. Its better to have 35-40k capacity. Removing 20-30 suites and putting in some cool lounge areas seems like it would be a good idea too.

[Rajais Mitten]

I've always wondered why they didn't do a dirt infield all this time, It wouldn't be that difficult and the benefits for the infield players would be huge. Also yes 100% to the bigger seats.

[Dylan]

Fix those fountains all around the stadium!

[HERPDERP]

Fix those fountains all around the stadium!

 

always wondered why they left that dried

[Effit]

Was talking to a friend who is American, he doesn't watch a lot of baseball but has been following the Jays a bit lately. He told me he thinks Rogers Centre is one of the best looking ballparks he's seen. LOL

[ValiantJaysFan]

A transparent roof would make the stadium unbearably hot. It's already hot when the roof closes. I'd prefer to see solar panels on the outside or an led video screen like they did for one of the stadiums during the World Cup.

[Stangstag]

Was talking to a friend who is American, he doesn't watch a lot of baseball but has been following the Jays a bit lately. He told me he thinks Rogers Centre is one of the best looking ballparks he's seen. LOL

 

I'll take it

[Stangstag]

A transparent roof would make the stadium unbearably hot. It's already hot when the roof closes. I'd prefer to see solar panels on the outside or an led video screen like they did for one of the stadiums during the World Cup.

 

That would be unnecessarily expensive. The roof is fine as-is.

[Governator]

A roof with some transparency would be pretty sweet.

 

Bigger seats sounds amazing and necessary. Throw some cupholders on the back of them while they're at it.

 

What do you mean by transparency in the roof, like glass? Wouldn't that heat up the place?

[TBJ12]

Would the stadium lights provide enough light to grow grass? They use the same type of lighting to grow marijuana indoors. Maybe the lights are too far from the surface to provide adequate lightingi.

[Laika]

What do you mean by transparency in the roof, like glass? Wouldn't that heat up the place?

 

I dunno, maybe, but not necessarily.

 

God forbid people be hot in the summer though, lol.

[Yorkshire Blue Jay]

A dirt infield is a must IMO, I said the day they traded for Tulo that if nothing else they needed to protect their investment in him.

 

Opening and closing the roof quicker and the ability to open it when it is cooler would be huge too.

 

There are materials that can change from opaque to clear like smart or switchable glass too if desired for the roof.

Edited September 2, 2015 by Yorkshire Blue Jay

[Inklink]

Repaint the concrete while you're at it!

[Krylian]

What do you mean by transparency in the roof, like glass? Wouldn't that heat up the place?

 

Ya. Let's all sit in a greenhouse

[Inklink]

Doesn't the Trop have a translucent roof? Pretty sure they've shown lightning show through it on some broadcasts.

[o2cui2i]

A roof with some transparency would be pretty sweet.

 

Bigger seats sounds amazing and necessary. Throw some cupholders on the back of them while they're at it.

 

wasn't that a big problem in Minny? during day games light would shine through and it was impossible to catch balls... I guess if the can open and close it faster the can just close when clouds go over and open it again.

[TDotttt2005]

I've always wondered why they didn't do a dirt infield all this time, It wouldn't be that difficult and the benefits for the infield players would be huge. Also yes 100% to the bigger seats.[/QUT

 

I believe they said that with the Argos and other events in there it wouldve been too much to remove/replace the infield every time. Not sure why they wouldnt just rake it down and cover it during those events, or just have the argos play on top of it...but with them leaving the venue, looks like we'll enter the 19th century finally with a dirt infield.

[ValiantJaysFan]

Would the stadium lights provide enough light to grow grass? They use the same type of lighting to grow marijuana indoors. Maybe the lights are too far from the surface to provide adequate lightingi.

 

I don't think that's how photosynthesis works.

[Yorkshire Blue Jay]

They use these mobile grass growing light rigs

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/2620940258_7256569dc6.jpg

[Angrioter]

[Stangstag]

Doesn't the Trop have a translucent roof? Pretty sure they've shown lightning show through it on some broadcasts.

 

It doesn't

[37stieb]

Would the stadium lights provide enough light to grow grass? They use the same type of lighting to grow marijuana indoors. Maybe the lights are too far from the surface to provide adequate lightingi.

 

Well this would be best to ask all those the marijuana grow-op operators in the city. Better if you employ them all. After they finish police can round them up in the worlds greatest sting operation. lol!

 

What would be the operational cost to have a indoor grass facility. It's great if the Team can afford the upkeep. The question is when there is a downturn who pays?

[ValiantJaysFan]

For the glass roof that was mentioned, were you thinking something like this?

 

http://populous.com/project/forsyth-barr-stadium/

 

Problem is I don't think it could hold the snow loads during the winter but this does look cool.

[Travis_Snider]

Would the stadium lights provide enough light to grow grass? They use the same type of lighting to grow marijuana indoors. Maybe the lights are too far from the surface to provide adequate lightingi.

 

they are wayyyy to far away

[Rajais Mitten]

The vikings are putting in that ETFE roof the first in a North American Stadium I believe, this is how it's supposed to handle snow I don't know how the RC would handle it but I'm sure they could figure something out