Shortly after the Rogers Centre opened, the Baltimore Orioles club built Camden Yards, a retro ballpark with natural grass. While Rogers owns the stadium, the federal government owns the land. We aim to have all comments reviewed in a timely manner. The company has a track record for repurposing urban properties. The Toronto Blue Jays are exploring the possibility of a new stadium, in an ambitious plan that would put a new ballpark on the land where their current retractable-roof … Dunedin officials have unveiled plans for renovations to Florida Auto Exchange Stadium, the spring training home of the Toronto Blue Jays. We hope to have this fixed soon. Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail The owner of the Toronto Blue Jays wants to demolish the Rogers Centre and construct a new stadium as part of a downtown Toronto redevelopment, according to … The sources say government officials and the two companies intend to go public with their plans in the new year. St. Petersburg narrows down proposals for Tropicana Field project, Pittsburgh Pirates extend with stadium sponsor PNC, Oakland A’s reveal fresh plans for Howard Terminal ballpark, Twins increase fan attendance efforts with Venuetize deal, Former Marlins owner to reimburse government over stadium development, Toronto Blue Jays to begin home season in Florida, Minnesota Twins add 3M as ‘science partner’. This translation has been automatically generated and has not been verified for accuracy. The northern portion of the 12.7-acre site would be turned into residential towers, office buildings, stores and public space. In a news release, the city said the $1.66-billion project is meant to “unite surrounding visitor attractions (Rogers Centre, the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, Fort York, The Bentway) into a major destination district.” Last year, developer Oxford Properties launched a $3.5-billion, four-tower project just north of the stadium and the planned Rail Deck Park. Kelly: Good riddance, Rogers Centre. According to the report, Rogers and Brookfield Asset Management have been working with government officials on the plan, which would see a new stadium form part of a wide-ranging development that includes residential towers, office buildings, stores and public space. All Rights Reserved. Ramping back up to 162 games after the shortened 60-game season in 2020 will strain rotations and force clubs to dig deep into their system for depth, especially in the latter half of The Jays played their home games last season at a ballpark in Buffalo because the pandemic closed the Canada-U.S. border. Read our. If you are looking to give feedback on our new site, please send it along to, To view this site properly, enable cookies in your browser. Its domed roof has become an icon of the city’s skyline. In midtown New York, Brookfield created a seven-acre site by covering railway lines with a concrete platform, then building four office towers and two acres of public space. Sahlen Field, which is located in Buffalo, N.Y., and where the Blue Jays called home in 2020, is on the table as a future option as the club works to piece together its plan around factors that include weather, the Minor League season and, above all else, the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rogers Centre plan would reportedly be privately funded, although it would require government approval. The partners would build a new, baseball-focused stadium on the foundations of the southern end of the current facility and adjacent parking lots. The Blue Jays could be getting a new stadium. The multibillion-dollar renovation would be privately funded by Brookfield and Rogers, according to the sources, but needs numerous government approvals to move forward. “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 keeping our employees safe, so there is no update on the Rogers Centre to share at this time,” Rogers spokesperson Andrew Garas told The Canadian Press. How shoddy were the Blue Jays facilities in Dunedin when Mark Shapiro first took stock of the assets after being hired as team president in 2015?. Click here to subscribe. Rogers Communications Inc. says it was exploring the future of its Toronto stadium prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the virus has caused it to put those plans on hold. Most awoke this morning to the startling news of Andrew Willis of The Globe and Mail reporting the Blue Jays are planning to scrap the Rogers Centre and build a brand new ballpark for the team.. The Rogers Centre and the Jays are now worth at least US$1.6-billion, according to analyst Adam Shine at National Bank Financial, while the company has a stake in Toronto Maple Leafs and Raptors parent Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment worth US$1.9-billion. Your time is valuable. Non-subscribers can read and sort comments but will not be able to engage with them in any way. Christmas has come early for Toronto Blue Jays fans. You had your moment, New Toronto Blue Jays stadium likely to win political support, will create more public space, Why Rogers is going to bat for a new ballpark, Rogers is also considering building a new stadium on a lakefront site if plans for the Rogers Centre fall through. ... with the Blue Jays heading to New York City to play the Yankees. Redeveloping the Rogers Centre would allow the company to potentially make more money from its real estate holding at a time when it is spending $2.8-billion annually to upgrade its internet and cable networks and roll out 5G telecom services. That US$5-billion investment, called Manhattan West, is now worth more than US$8.6-billion. UPDATED: Read our community guidelines here. Rogers Centre opened as the SkyDome before rebranding in 2005 after Rogers purchased the stadium. The two companies are pitching politicians on a development that builds a vibrant neighbourhood, while keeping the Jays downtown. The owner of the Toronto Blue Jays wants to demolish the Rogers Centre and construct a new stadium as part of a downtown Toronto redevelopment, according to sources involved in the project. The Rogers Centre, formerly called the SkyDome, on Nov 26 2020. The Rays on Tuesday unveiled plans for a new stadium that would take them to the Ybor City section of Tampa at a cost of nearly $900 million. Since arriving three years ago, chief executive Joe Natale has frequently talked about raising money or restructuring Rogers with steps that force investors to recognize the value of its holdings. Sign up today. After the Rogers Centre was built on former rail yards, Toronto’s downtown expanded to the west, and now surrounds the facility. It is not clear where the team would play if its Toronto stadium is being torn down and rebuilt. Rogers Communications, the company that owns the team and the building where the Jays have played since 1989, plans to demolish the retractable-roof stadium and construct a new park on the site as part of a larger development plan in downtown Toronto This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff. Comments that violate our community guidelines will not be posted. The rest would be dedicated to “residential towers, … The Blue Jays have played at Rogers Centre since 1989 but the team was forced to play the majority of its home games at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York amid COVID-19 restrictions relating to travel between Canada and the US. The Blue Jays are making contingency plans in the event the Canadian government prevents them from playing home games in Toronto at the start of the 2021 MLB season because of COVID-19 concerns. On Thursday, Rogers chief communications officer Sevaun Palvetzian said: “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.”. DUNEDIN, Fla. -- The Blue Jays’ pitching staff, like everyone else’s, is entering uncharted territory in 2021. Also available in French and Mandarin. “Rogers either gets no credit or a materially discounted consideration for these assets.”. The Rogers Centre, with its retractable roof, opened in 1989 as SkyDome and cost $570-million, with taxpayers picking up a significant portion of the cost. “What does the market think about these investments? We aim to create a safe and valuable space for discussion and debate. Read more: Toronto Blue Jays ready to open temporary home in Buffalo as Marlins visit Sahlen Field Citing unnamed sources, the Globe says the … A spokesperson for Brookfield declined to comment Thursday on the Rogers Centre. Rogers acquired the stadium in 2004 for $25-million. Rogers and Brookfield executives have been discussing their plans with Toronto’s city councillors and other politicians for more than two years, according to lobbying records. Please log in to listen to this story. Website by Glen Wheeler Ltd. All the latest news, blogs, videos, and up-to-the-minute media coverage from all the leading voices in the global sports venue sector – all in one place. According to the Globe and Mail, Rogers Communications Inc., the parent company of the Blue Jays as well as Sportsnet, and Brookfield Asset Management Inc. are … © 2021 TheStadiumBusiness News. Follow topics and authors relevant to your reading interests. Image: Skeezix1000/CC BY 2.0/Edited for size. While the priority for Rogers is a new ballpark near the existing stadium – the approach taken by teams such as the New York Yankees – the sources said the company is also looking at waterfront sites such as the 12-acre Quayside property where Google affiliate Sidewalk Labs abandoned plans to build a smart-city project. Curated and brought to you by TheStadiumBusiness team at Xperiology. Why Rogers is going to bat for a new ballpark. Audio for this article is not available at this time. Rebuilding the stadium is expected to play out over five to eight years. Rogers bought the Jays 20 years ago for US$137-million. Nothing,” Mr. Bad enough that one of Shapiro’s initial thoughts was to look into plans for his new team to leave town. Four years ago, Toronto City Council voted to move forward with Rail Deck Park, a potential 20-acre public space created by covering railway tracks north of the Rogers Centre. The rest would be dedicated to “residential towers, … Have the Top Business Headlines newsletter conveniently delivered to your inbox in the morning or evening. Shine said in a report. The Rogers Centre is considered the last in a generation of multiuse concrete stadiums with artificial turf. For Rogers, turning a stadium into condos and other developments would allow the company to cash in on a lucrative investment, while creating a better experience for baseball fans – the Jays are expected to move from artificial turf to natural grass. on 30th November 2020 Rogers Communications, which owns the Toronto Blue Jays Major League Baseball team, has revealed that plans to redevelop the In the meantime, they can focus on chasing an AL East title. The new Blue Jays Player Development Complex will include 3 new full fields, making 6 total (1 being synthetic turf). Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community. The Globe and Mail’s report added that Rogers would consider building a new stadium on a lakefront site if plans to demolish Rogers Centre do not come to fruition. Toronto-based Brookfield is one of the world’s largest real estate owners, with US$108-billion invested in office buildings and shopping malls. If you would like to write a letter to the editor, please forward it to letters@globeandmail.com. Rogers Centre faces demolition as Blue Jays owner plans new stadium. Avoid the use of toxic and offensive language. A replacement stadium for the Blue Jays would occupy some of the same land as the Rogers Centre. 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Reports of a plan to tear down the Rogers Centre have Blue Jays fans dreaming of a more intimate, scenic, well-stocked ballpark in its place.. Full Disclaimer. ... but the Blue Jays cannot risk not having a plan by then. The stadium is also next to a former railway roundhouse that is now a national historic site, complicating redevelopment plans. Readers can also interact with The Globe on Facebook and Twitter . The Toronto Blue Jays play an MLB intrasquad baseball game in a nearly empty Rogers Centre in Toronto on Thursday, July 9, 2020. , THE CANADIAN PRESS/Carlos Osorio TORONTO - Rogers Communications Inc. says it was exploring the future of its Toronto stadium before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, but the virus has caused it to put those plans on hold. Rogers Communications Inc. and the real estate arm of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. are working with city, provincial and federal government officials on a plan that would effectively cut the Rogers Centre in half. I'm a print subscriber, link to my account, Read more about following topics and authors. Rogers and Brookfield Asset Management want to transform the huge parcel of land as part of a whole downtown … That means: If you do not see your comment posted immediately, it is being reviewed by the moderation team and may appear shortly, generally within an hour. The Blue Jays are reportedly getting a new home. The new structure would include condos and other developments – and the stadium would be updated to current fan-friendly standards, with real grass rather than artificial turf. Since then, new stadiums in cities such as Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Arlington, Tex., have echoed Camden Yard’s fan-friendly design. 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The goal is to keep the Toronto Blue Jays (also owned by Rogers) in their longtime home, though unnamed sources told The Globe that the telcom is considering building "a new stadium on a … Rogers Communications, which owns the Toronto Blue Jays Major League Baseball team, has revealed that plans to redevelop the Rogers Centre ballpark have been temporarily put on hold amid reports that the franchise is considering building a new venue on the site of its current home. The stadium is close to a convention centre, hotels, an aquarium and several condo towers. It’s been the subject of conversation for years and now it appears a plan is in the works to build a brand new home for the Toronto Blue Jays. The two companies would build a new stadium half the size … The Globe and Mail is not naming these sources because they are not authorized to speak for their companies and the baseball team. The proposal from Rogers Communications is to reportedly demolish the Rogers Centre and construct a new ballpark in its place. This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff. New ... Rogers is also considering building a new stadium on a lakefront site if plans for renovating the Rogers Centre fall through. A replacement stadium for the Blue Jays would occupy some of the same land as the Rogers Centre. Local newspaper The Globe and Mail reported that Rogers has engaged Brookfield Asset Management on a plan that would result in the demolition of the 49,000-seat stadium, which has been the home of the Blue Jays since 1989. After years of conversation and speculation, it’s looking more and more likely that the much-maligned home of the Toronto Blue Jays is headed for … The Toronto Blue Jays will likely have to be flexible on a timeline once the 2021 season gets underway. (Clippers/Twitter) ... Blue Jays left scrambling after rejection of PNC Park plan … In recent years, Jays executives have complained that the facility is aging poorly. Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community. One source familiar with the partnership between Rogers and Brookfield said one option under discussion is the telecom company will put up its lease on the stadium, while Brookfield shoulders development costs. © Copyright 2021 The Globe and Mail Inc. All rights reserved. Blue Jays scrap Rogers Centre reno plans, will look to new ballpark By Kevin Reichard on November 27, 2020 in Future Ballparks , Major-League Baseball , Minor-League Baseball The Los Angeles Clippers announced plans for a new stadium that will be built in Inglewood. Blue Jays may play home games at spring training stadium in Florida. Any plans for a new stadium appear to be at an early stage, however, with Rogers confirming that the project is not an immediate priority. Filed Under: MLB , Top Stories