Rogers Centre - Big Plans?

[Laika]

https://www.680news.com/2020/11/27/rogers-plans-to-demolish-the-rogers-centre-build-new-ballpark-in-its-place/

 

These rumours sound a bit meatier than anything in the past. Might they abandon the idea of baseball in Toronto in 2021 and start on this soon, planning to be done the new stadium by 2022?

[Carlos Danger]

That would be awesome and I would take another year in Buffalo or somewhere else for that. As a fan/tourist, that would def motivate me to plan a trip to TO and see a game.

[Deadpool]

Hope they have some sort of retractable roof design, it just makes sense in Toronto for spring and fall games.

 

I don't hate The Dome as much as most seem to, but I'd be interested in seeing what they come up with.

[labadee]

can't argue with location, it'd be perfect. i hope they keep the dome in some way, it's become iconic with the TO skyline

[Dick_Pole]

Do it like Wrigley Field. 5,000 seat capacity. Surround it with condos overlooking the new stadium and put all the seats there. That should be a sustainable and not short sighted at all business model.

 

Or just make a condo complex with a baseball stadium attached.

[G-Snarls]

Exciting!

[RobinThicc]

Classic Rogers. Once they got the idea that they could throw up some condos, they were all in.

 

Anyways, sounds exciting. Hope it looks great. Retractable roof is a must. I also kinda hope the roof keeps the same general shape as the Rogers centre. Its such an iconic part of the skyline.

[Grant77]

I wonder if the new building would be constructed while the Skydome still exists or if we would have to play at an alternate site during construction. Where would that be?

[Ex Player]

I wonder if the new building would be constructed while the Skydome still exists or if we would have to play at an alternate site during construction. Where would that be?

From what I understand they would keep playing at RC until the new stadium is built. They said something on AM radio about building it on parking lots south of RC, but the only place I can see it happening is inside the red rectangle.

 

I dont see where else downtown they could put it. The only other spots are Port lands or Ontario Place

 

[saskjayfan]

So is there going to be any federal government money put into this?

[Ex Player]

So is there going to be any federal government money put into this?

They said on the news almost all funds will be from private companies

[saskjayfan]

They said on the news almost all funds will be from private companies

 

Almost is a scary word. I don't want a penny of my federal taxes going to this stadium.

[Ex Player]

Almost is a scary word. I don't want a penny of my federal taxes going to this stadium

They might get tax breaks and other incentives (like parking revenue sharing)

[Spanky__99]

Nothing is imminent...

 

The possibility immediately sparked excitement, but a statement from Rogers sought to tamp expectations: “Prior to the pandemic, we were exploring options for the stadium but through this year our primary focus has been keeping our customers connected and employees safe, so there is no update on the Rogers Centre to share at this time.”

[Deadpool]

I was intrigued when it was a new stadium... But like the Rogers Stadium Condo Shopping Mall and Cremation Services (with a baseball stadium somewhere 'round back) is a pretty hard pass from me.

 

Remember, Rogers doesn't own the land, just the building.

[Spanky__99]

I was intrigued when it was a new stadium... But like the Rogers Stadium Condo Shopping Mall and Cremation Services (with a baseball stadium somewhere 'round back) is a pretty hard pass from me.

 

Remember, Rogers doesn't own the land, just the building.

 

Yeah, all this is getting done there.

[Carlos Danger]

I just hope the condos etc are far enough away that they can build a vibrant bar scene right outside the stadium with outdoor patios and outdoor live music until late at night and being able to take drink and walk down a promenade etc.

 

The condo commandos tend to start complaining about all that even though they bought condos near an airport or a baseball stadium etc. Also, the alcohol rules need to relaxed in TO so you can do more tailgating and have people sell cocktails and beers in plastic cups and walk around in certain "entertainment" areas..

[Spanky__99]

I just hope the condos etc are far enough away that they can build a vibrant bar scene right outside the stadium with outdoor patios and outdoor live music until late at night and being able to take drink and walk down a promenade etc.

 

The condo commandos tend to start complaining about all that even though they bought condos near an airport or a baseball stadium etc. Also, the alcohol rules need to relaxed in TO so you can do more tailgating and have people sell cocktails and beers in plastic cups and walk around in certain "entertainment" areas..

 

You mean like they do at the RC... also, I think they do s***.

[Ex Player]

You mean like they do at the RC... also, I think they do s***

They dont have tailgating at RC

[connorp]

They dont have tailgating at RC

 

Lol. Try to tell Spanky there’s no tailgating anywhere

[Ex Player]

Lol. Try to tell Spanky there’s no tailgating anywhere

If you mean 1-man tailgating parties, then yes.

 

Easy for Spanky too, he's been social distancing since high school

[Dick_Pole]

Almost is a scary word. I don't want a penny of my federal taxes going to this stadium.

 

Fully agree with this sentiment. If one penny of already bankrupt government tax funds goes to this so that a multi-billion dollar oligopoly can find a way to make money stuffing condos in the downtown core I am going to rage. And I'm a fan of the team. Isn't the city still paying off the loans on the Skydome debt?

[saskjayfan]

Fully agree with this sentiment. If one penny of already bankrupt government tax funds goes to this so that a multi-billion dollar oligopoly can find a way to make money stuffing condos in the downtown core I am going to rage. And I'm a fan of the team. Isn't the city still paying off the loans on the Skydome debt?

 

If sask and it’s 1.1 million people can fund a 320 mil stadium without a dime from the feds then Ontario and it’s 14.5 million population should be able to fund an 800 to 1 billion dollar stadium.

[xposbrad]

Fully agree with this sentiment. If one penny of already bankrupt government tax funds goes to this so that a multi-billion dollar oligopoly can find a way to make money stuffing condos in the downtown core I am going to rage. And I'm a fan of the team. Isn't the city still paying off the loans on the Skydome debt?

 

You do know that the Toronto Blue Jays provide tens of millions of dollars into industries outside of the actual baseball activities. Hotels/Restos/Bars etc.. Then factor in what the marketing value is worth in advertising every time Toronto is mentioned on TV/Radio on games etc..So, to discount the idea of public funding when the team does bring big value to the city/province would be pretty foolish.

[Jimcanuck]

You do know that the Toronto Blue Jays provide tens of millions of dollars into industries outside of the actual baseball activities. Hotels/Restos/Bars etc.. Then factor in what the marketing value is worth in advertising every time Toronto is mentioned on TV/Radio on games etc..So, to discount the idea of public funding when the team does bring big value to the city/province would be pretty foolish.

 

And about 90% of that money from Ontarians / Canadians. And the money wouldn't be spent, otherwise? Of course it would be. That's the fallacy of these types of arguments.

[connorp]

And about 90% of that money from Ontarians / Canadians. And the money wouldn't be spent, otherwise? Of course it would be. That's the fallacy of these types of arguments.

 

Not much of a fallacy. That the money would be spent locally otherwise is hardly a given. Between e-commerce, spending money at national chain like Walmart, or paying off bills- whenever you can ensure it gets spent locally to support local businesses, it’s a win. Not saying I support the cause either way, just pointing out your thinking is limited

[Jimcanuck]

Not much of a fallacy. That the money would be spent locally otherwise is hardly a given. Between e-commerce, spending money at national chain like Walmart, or paying off bills- whenever you can ensure it gets spent locally to support local businesses, it’s a win. Not saying I support the cause either way, just pointing out your thinking is limited

 

Wrong, the money spent to travel to Toronto, stay at a hotel, and eat at restaurants would more likely be spent on alternative travel / entertainment plans. There is no incremental economic benefit to the public by having the Blue Jays in Toronto. Any economic benefit is to the Blue Jays employees and players and Rogers corporate. If there are tax dollars spent to build a new stadium, it would be for political reasons, with the 'economic benefit justification' being a sham.

[Grant77]

Wrong, the money spent to travel to Toronto, stay at a hotel, and eat at restaurants would more likely be spent on alternative travel / entertainment plans. There is no incremental economic benefit to the public by having the Blue Jays in Toronto. Any economic benefit is to the Blue Jays employees and players and Rogers corporate. If there are tax dollars spent to build a new stadium, it would be for political reasons, with the 'economic benefit justification' being a sham.

 

That may be true for you, but a lot of people like myself don't have a specific budget for vacations or a set number of events that I go to. If I miss my yearly Blue Jays game, I probably won't spend the money in the same way. There's a good chance I just put a bigger payment on my mortgage or something.

[Laika]

Wrong, the money spent to travel to Toronto, stay at a hotel, and eat at restaurants would more likely be spent on alternative travel / entertainment plans. There is no incremental economic benefit to the public by having the Blue Jays in Toronto. Any economic benefit is to the Blue Jays employees and players and Rogers corporate. If there are tax dollars spent to build a new stadium, it would be for political reasons, with the 'economic benefit justification' being a sham.

 

And many of those would be not in Toronto. There’s an argument for the City to chip in, depending on the proposal. There might even be a weaker argument for the Province to help.

 

But personally if Toronto had a better stadium I would go to many more games. I’m not doing anything alternative right now so it would be strictly additional economic activity.

[Jimcanuck]

That may be true for you, but a lot of people like myself don't have a specific budget for vacations or a set number of events that I go to. If I miss my yearly Blue Jays game, I probably won't spend the money in the same way.

 

But the money would be spent, right, generating economic activity?