Rogers Centre renos aimed at a better fan experience
$400M in changes turn multi-purpose stadium into a dedicated baseball facility
The Rogers Centre you previously knew is going to look a little different Monday when the Blue Jays finally play their home opener after a 10-game road trip.
The extended time away was necessary to put the finishing touches on the nearly $400-million renovation spread over two years, the first of which was restricted to the area between the foul poles in the outfield.
That phase, which included the renovations from foul pole to foul pole in the outfield, drastically altered the look of the old ballpark with new and permanent bullpens more accessible than ever to the fan view and unique viewing areas like the Corona Rooftop Patio or TD Park Social or even The Catch Bar, to name a few.
All told, the Outfield District, with its $20 general admission fee, was a huge hit with its unique viewing options.
The second phase, most of which will be complete for Monday's home opener, covered the remainder of the lower bowl from the fences in.
All told, construction, which was originally tabbed at $300 million, finished up closer to $400 million as plans got altered and the always counted-on overtime a project like this eventually incurs pushed that number north.
From a pure baseball standpoint, the greatest accomplishment of the renovation is the altered sightlines. Initially built as a multi-purpose facility, Rogers Centre had too many seats in its previous edition not facing home plate or even the infield. The further one got down the lines, the more one had to turn sideways to see the dish.
Now though, not only are the seats facing the infield, the pitch of the seats has improved so fans are no longer looking over or around someone in front of them.
And those old seats with the tight leg room have been replaced by wider aisles and newer, more comfortable seats, although the level of comfort — read padding — will be tied directly to your ticket price.
The pricier the ticket, the better the quality of seat. Those in the first of three prestige seating areas will be treating their behinds to the most cushioned seat in the entire ballpark.
The three levels of prestige seating start with TD Lounge, Blueprint Club and Rogers Banner Club.
All will eventually have access to private clubs below field level, but construction of those facilities is ongoing and won't be completed until midseason.
Only after the entire bowl had been dug out and the structure replaced could the work underneath the bowl begin.
Work crews will continue the underground work while the Jays are on the road and earlier in the day during homestands but even with that, it's not expected to be completed until July.
The fan will ultimately foot the bill for the stadium reconfiguration through increased ticket prices and, in particular, the premium seating packages, but the Jays contend they are simply responding to demand from its fan base.
The player experience at Rogers Centre will also improve with new and improved facilities beneath the stadium, including a new locker-room, a new batting cage and even a new and improved dugout at field level.
The field itself was already new back in 2021 but, because it had to be torn out for the renovation, players will experience a new, more giving Astroturf with an improved fill and a liner under the actual turf that Tom Ferrell, the Jays' director of field operations, is confident will address player safety better than the previous version.
The fan experience, besides the obvious improvement in sightlines and comfort, will also include a new line of concessions as Legends, the same company that handles concessions at Yankee Stadium and a host of other Major League parks, takes over.
Rogers Centre executive chef Matt Munro will introduce a slew of new food options that should tempt any baseball fan.
A personal favourite coming in are a trio of Crush Floats — Cream Soda, Grape and Orange — that should take the sting out of the heat in those midsummer day games.
The trickle down cost is going to be felt, no question, by fans both at the ticket window and the concession line, but Blue Jays president/ CEO Mark Shapiro feels his team has delivered on its promise to improve the baseball experience for the Toronto fan base.
The public will make the ultimate decision on that beginning Monday when the Seattle Mariners come to town.