Toronto Blue Jays' Rogers Centre to undergo $233 million redevelopment as dedicated baseball venue

Toronto Blue Jays' Rogers Centre home will undergo a US$233 million renovation over the next two off-seasons, transitioning the multi-purpose venue to a dedicated ballpark.

The privately funded redevelopment will modernize fan experiences and enhance player facilities.

The Rogers Centre was home to the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) Toronto Argonauts until 2015, but since it left for the BMO Field, the Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Blue Jays have been the main tenant.

This winter will see the start of the endeavor to convert the space into a baseball-specific facility. The Populous architecture firm, which oversaw the player development facility upgrades at the MLB franchise last year, is taking the lead on the design for the new project.

Bars, terraces, and viewing platforms will all be given priority in the project's initial phase. Additionally, the team wants to move seating on the 100-level closer to the action. The Blue Jays will replace all 500-level seats and build two new "social decks" to left and right field.

Along with the players' family room and staff locker room, a new 5,000 square foot gym will also be built as part of the first phase.

In phase two, there will also be more social areas and luxury clubs installed at the field level.

The idea, according to Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro, is a "medium-term solution," with the organization still considering either a full renovation of the Rogers Centre or a possible move to a new ballpark in a different part of Toronto.
According to Edward Rogers, chair of the Toronto Blue Jays and chair of the board at Rogers Communications, the renovation Centre will deliver an enhanced ballpark experience for fans so they can gather to cheer on the Blue Jays and make cherished memories with family and friends, as they have for the last 33 years.