The Blue Jays announced plans Thursday to refurbish Rogers Center, their home stadium since 1989, at a cost of $230 million, but said the changes do not include replacing the artificial surface with grass.
The renovation, which will take place in stages over the next two or three winters, will begin by elevating the bullpens in left and right field. The dimensions and height of the wall behind the gardens will also be adjusted and public areas will be adapted to add bars and terraces, as well as a section of stands.
“The highest priority is to focus on modernizing the fan experience,” Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro said.
Shapiro did not reveal the dimensions of the off-site areas or the heights of the fences because, he said, they have not been finalized.
After the 2023 campaign, the team will reshape the lower bowl of seats to create better sight lines, reduce foul territory and replace all spots on the upper deck.
The Blue Jays will also take advantage of the renovation to improve and expand the team’s headquarters, as well as player facilities such as weight rooms and training areas.
Shapiro said the stadium’s overall capacity will be reduced once the renovation is complete, but did not give a figure.
Rogers Center opened as the SkyDome in June 1989, the first stadium with a retractable roof in Major League Baseball.
Currently, it is the seventh oldest stadium among the 30 existing ones.
Shapiro described the plans as a “medium-term solution,” adding that the Blue Jays will later have to consider building another stadium or undertaking a major renovation at their current home.
