[Translude15]

Why, though? Any type of renovation/rebuild doesn't make any financial sense. Higher attendance comes with better on-field product. Rogers Centre is far from being a dump. Remember it was selling out every game just a few years ago?
My point is, Rogers does not owe people a better stadium. The fact that some people think they deserve a new stadium just because other teams got one recently, doesn't mean Rogers must realize anything.

I wouldn't call it a dump either. Anecdotally, many opposing team fans have commented that it's a lot nicer than they anticipated given all the bad press they've heard about the place prior to visiting. That said, despite a high capacity and selling out when the team is winning, the place still lags behind the rest of the MLB in terms of revenue generation per ticket sold. I've gone in depth in previous posts about what that means and how to maximize that revenue.

The only ideal, downtown location for a new stadium would be the site of Billy Bishop Airport. Keep in mind that part of what makes many of these retro style, open air ballparks great is that they have excellent city skyline backdrops. Additionally, MLB diamonds are usually positioned on a northeastern axis, therefore, if a stadium were to be built in the Portlands, as of now, there would be no visual interest in terms of buildings framing the outfield. Over time and depending on the location of a prospective stadium in the Portlands, perhaps the East Harbour development and maybe some of the inevitable office/residential buildings in the former could serve that role. It would be preferable to have the CN Tower and financial district dominating said view, though.

I'd like to see an extensive reno of the existing stadium but failing that, building an entirely new one would be necessary within 30 years. Anything on the water is likely a no-go from me because of the proximity to high winds off the lake. Exhibition Stadium was bad for that reason. If there's not a retractable roof, any notion of a new stadium by the lake isn't even worth considering. Ideally, you'd want a new stadium kept within or as close to the downtown core as possible with at least one transit link. There are multiple locations that could be potential options:

1. Roundhouse Park:
Pros- Near current location, close to transit; could incorporate train shed and railway heritage into design; outfield view of skyline
Cons- Concessions to Steamwhistle Brewery and the city

2. Lamport Stadium:
Pros- Close to Exhibition GO, King streetcar, future Liberty Village GO station, possible DRL West route; outfield view of skyline; vibrant location; large redevelopment potential
Cons- NIBMYism; concessions to city for Lamport; annexation/acquisition costs to landowners east of Jefferson Ave

3. Exhibition Place:
Pros- Close to Exhibition GO, possible DRL West route, potential future Lakeshore West LRT; outfield view of skyline
Cons- High winds off the lake; possible annexation/acquisition costs on CNE lands; impact on annual CNE event

4. Christie Pits:
Pros- Located on Bloor subway line; near downtown core; outfield view of skyline; vibrant area with large redevelopment potential along Bloor
Cons- NIMBYism; concessions to city for park land; capacity and overcrowding issues at Christie station; away from GO transit lines

5. Downsview Park:
Pros- Ample space; transit connections to Spadina line and GO Barrie line; access to 401 and Allan Rd; outfield view of skyline; large redevelopment potential
Cons- Far from downtown core; less accessible than other central locations; suburban location not as vibrant as downtown

6. Portlands:
Pros- Ample space; cheaper land costs; close to Gardiner/DVP; large redevelopment potential
Cons- Inconvenient with minimal transit connections; no skyline view; high winds off the lake; location not as vibrant as downtown

 

[Richard White]

Roundhouse Park, Christie Pits and Lamport Stadium are not large enough to accommodate a stadium of that size.

Exhibition Place also may be too tight with all the heritage buildings.

 

[UrbanOzz]

i think the existing location would be perfect. for that to happen, the team would have to play away for 1 or 2 seasons which risks the fanbase a bit.

for a reno, i think it would open right up if they were to buy the renaissance hotel, tear it down, and replace it with glass and windows (open air) and support beams for the roof. i'd also remove the 200 - 500 levels in the outfield. Obviously i'm not an engineer so I don't know how many support columns you'd need considering the whole lid rests on it when the roof is open, but that would make it way more enjoyable.

one can dream

 

[Translude15]

Roundhouse Park, Christie Pits and Lamport Stadium are not large enough to accommodate a stadium of that size.

Exhibition Place also may be too tight with all the heritage buildings.

A stadium with a max capacity of 40 - 42,000 and a smaller footprint would fit onto all of those locations. Roundhouse would likely be the tightest of all those locations but would require some sort of reconstruction and incorporation of the roundhouse building into the design. Perhaps Bremner is re-routed north if the Dome is vacated and demolished, thus giving Roundhouse more room. Christie Pits would consist of the entirety of the facilities, diamonds, ice rink and pool included. Lamport would require demolition of the buildings east of Jefferson Ave.

 

[Translude15]

i think the existing location would be perfect. for that to happen, the team would have to play away for 1 or 2 seasons which risks the fanbase a bit.

for a reno, i think it would open right up if they were to buy the renaissance hotel, tear it down, and replace it with glass and windows (open air) and support beams for the roof. i'd also remove the 200 - 500 levels in the outfield. Obviously i'm not an engineer so I don't know how many support columns you'd need considering the whole lid rests on it when the roof is open, but that would make it way more enjoyable.

one can dream

From my understanding, the northern part of the Marriot hotel is tacked onto the Dome. The southern component of the hotel is the section that overlooks the field. You can see that from the construction photos in the article below:

How Toronto built the most hyped sports stadium ever

It's hard to believe, but the idea for a domed stadium in Toronto dates back the 1960s, long before the Blue Jays arrived in this town. In fact, on...

www.blogto.com

The support pillars for the fixed portion of the roof basically run west to east along the outfield sections of the stadium, from top to bottom.

 

[UrbanOzz]

looking at those photos, it could also feel better if they removed the 200 - 500 levels AROUND the hotel and scoreboard and replaced it with a glass wall. I'm thinking sort of what Miller Park in Milwaukee looks like when their roof is snapped shut.

 

[T.E.C.II]

Why, though? Any type of renovation/rebuild doesn't make any financial sense. Higher attendance comes with better on-field product. Rogers Centre is far from being a dump. Remember it was selling out every game just a few years ago?
My point is, Rogers does not owe people a better stadium. The fact that some people think they deserve a new stadium just because other teams got one recently, doesn't mean Rogers must realize anything.

It was selling out games because the Blue Jays were putting good teams on the field worth making the trip to the stadium. The stadium isn't a draw in itself. Fans go in spite of it, not because of it. And once the Blue Jays stop winning, fans stay away, sometimes for years.

But what if fans had a reason to go to a game besides seeing a winning team? No, Rogers doesn't owe the fans a stadium or renovations, but the fans don't owe it to them to turn up, either.

 

[raptor]

It was selling out games because the Blue Jays were putting good teams on the field worth making the trip to the stadium. The stadium isn't a draw in itself. Fans go in spite of it, not because of it. And once the Blue Jays stop winning, fans stay away, sometimes for years.

But what if fans had a reason to go to a game besides seeing a winning team? No, Rogers doesn't owe the fans a stadium or renovations, but the fans don't owe it to them to turn up, either.

Don't kid yourself, people will not go to see a shiny new stadium if the team sucks. This isn't Cleveland, there's so much to do in our great city.

 

[T.E.C.II]

Regarding the roof, it needs to stay. I know we all like to think we'd enjoy going to games despite the weather, but baseball starts in April, and I recall the weather being fairly cold in April. I think you need to have a roof of some kind for those early months, and for when it rains.

 

[T.E.C.II]

Don't kid yourself, people will not go to see a shiny new stadium if the team sucks. This isn't Cleveland, there's so much to do in our great city.

And yet, I specifically said I'd go to a game if the stadium were better on the previous page. I only go to a game a year, mostly because of the price, mostly because the stadium itself great. I can't see myself going to a game this year. But a new stadium, or drastic renovation of the current one? Then I would.

 

[UrbanOzz]

Regarding the roof, it needs to stay. I know we all like to think we'd enjoy going to games despite the weather, but baseball starts in April, and I recall the weather being fairly cold in April. I think you need to have a roof of some kind for those early months, and for when it rains.

yea, a roof is mandatory. I think the Rogers Centre was built backwards. It was built as an indoor stadium that can be opened. It should be built as an outdoor stadium that can be closed.

 

[raptor]

And yet, I specifically said I'd go to a game if the stadium were better on the previous page. I only go to a game a year, mostly because of the price, mostly because the stadium itself great. I can't see myself going to a game this year. But a new stadium, or drastic renovation of the current one? Then I would.

I guess you and I have different definitions of the word 'entertainment'.

 

[Translude15]

Don't kid yourself, people will not go to see a shiny new stadium if the team sucks. This isn't Cleveland, there's so much to do in our great city.

Cleveland doesn't support the team even when they're winning. It's a Browns town first and foremost. They haven't finished higher than 9th in attendance since 2002, despite 5 playoff appearances in that time.

Cleveland Guardians Attendance, Stadiums, and Park Factors | Baseball-Reference.com

Cleveland Guardians Attendance, Stadiums, and Park Factors

www.baseball-reference.com

A newer or better stadium doesn't guarantee more fans during the lean years, but it certainly will be better for the Jays overall than the current condition of the place.

 

[kotsy]

Regarding the roof, it needs to stay. I know we all like to think we'd enjoy going to games despite the weather, but baseball starts in April, and I recall the weather being fairly cold in April. I think you need to have a roof of some kind for those early months, and for when it rains.

I hate to agree but we even get snow in April for Christ's sake. May generally sucks for weather as well.

 

[T.E.C.II]

I hate to agree but we even get snow in April for Christ's sake. May generally sucks for weather as well.

I distinctly remember thinking back in April "This is why the Blue Jays need the dome", as I was wearing a coat and sweater and baseball was starting. And there's something to be said of having a stadium that ensures there will be no rainouts.

I think I've said this before, but T-Mobile Park seems like a good model to follow in the event we were to get a new stadium. It offers views of the city, while having a roof, giving you the outdoors experience and protection from the elements should you need it.

A key difference, though, might be that their roof doesn't seal you in, so I don't know how good it is for when the weather turns colder.