{"id":15119,"date":"2023-04-06T17:43:52","date_gmt":"2023-04-07T00:43:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/new-fan-experiences-unveiled-at-rogers-centre-ahead-of-jays-home-opener\/"},"modified":"2023-04-06T17:43:53","modified_gmt":"2023-04-07T00:43:53","slug":"new-fan-experiences-unveiled-at-rogers-centre-ahead-of-jays-home-opener","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/new-fan-experiences-unveiled-at-rogers-centre-ahead-of-jays-home-opener\/","title":{"rendered":"New Fan Experiences Unveiled at Rogers Centre Ahead of Jays’ Home Opener"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Baseball fever was in the air today, as the Toronto Blue Jays<\/a> welcomed the media to view the freshly minted Rogers Centre Renovations<\/a> for the first time. Construction of the new \u2018Outfield District\u2019 general admission areas and other infrastructure improvements began at the end of last season and wrapped up earlier this week, just in time for the Jays\u2019 home opener next week. Designed by Populous<\/a>, the project represents the largest renovation in the history of the iconic 1989-built stadium, and brings to completion the first phase of a multi-year revitalization effort that will continue next offseason to improve both fan and player experiences.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Looking north at the south elevation of the Rogers Centre, image by Matias Bessai<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cToday we get to unveil the transformation of the Rogers Centre from a stadium to a ballpark,\u201d said Blue Jays CEO and President Mark Shaprio, as he greeted the media on the field between home plate and the pitcher\u2019s mound. \u201cJust five days from now, fans will stream through the gates and down the aisles and look into the Outfield District, and see spaces that were largely created by them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark Shapiro addresses the media at the unveiling of the Rogers Centre Renovations, image by Matias Bessai<\/span><\/p>\n

Shapiro\u2019s introductory speech was followed by brief comments from Blue Jays Chair and Chair of the Board at Rogers Communications, Edward Rogers, and Rogers Communications President and CEO, Tony Staffieri, after which the three executives walked to the outfield for the ceremonial ribbon cutting. Spanning the entire length of the outfield, the ribbon fell to an applause from the audience of media as the revamped stadium was officially marked complete.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Blue Jays and Rogers Executives cut the ceremonial ribbon in the outfield, image by Matias Bessai<\/span><\/p>\n

The real excitement, however, began with the tour of the new Outfield District, which comprises several different general admission spaces dubbed \u2018neighbourhoods\u2019, split among the 100, 200, and 500 levels.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The first stop of the tour was The Stop. Located directly behind the batter\u2019s eye (the centre point of the outfield wall), the new food and drink concourse\u2019s name pays homage to the aspirational vision of the original Rogers Centre design that sought to build a transit station directly in the stadium. While the plan fell through, The Stop carries on the legacy through finishes like subway tiling and a number transit-inspired murals.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Stop, food and drink concourse inspired by Toronto transit, image by Matias Bessai<\/span><\/p>\n

The space features a pair of concessions and a bar with a flashy hammered-bronze backsplash, as well as an expedited beverage and snacks station called \u2018Tap and Go\u2019; the cafeteria-style shop allows fans to purchase items without waiting in line by simply tapping their card upon entry, and the card is charged automatically as they exit.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Moving toward right field, the next \u2018neighbourhood\u2019 to see was The Catch, a stylish cocktail bar designed to replicate the atmosphere of Toronto\u2019s various Entertainment District hangouts. The bar features a thick marble bar top and was detailed with gold-toned accents, greenery, and a hexagonal tiling treatment along the bar wall to deliver the curated downtown look, with the cocktail offerings to match.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Catch, cocktail bar with patio view of right field, image by Matias Bessai<\/span><\/p>\n

The bar also enjoys a walkout patio style viewing area where fans can watch the game in an informal standing setting. To create this open space, however, 5 rows of seating had to be removed from the level above, and four robust concrete beams were shortened by about 4 to 5 metres.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Grey concrete members were cut back by four metres to make room for standing section, image by Matias Bessai<\/span><\/p>\n

At the 200 level, Schneiders Porch above right field features classic and upscaled offerings from the Kitchener-based hot dog and sausage manufacturer, with several enhanced options including various poutines, while just a short flight of stairs down, Rogers Landing offers a chance to watch the game from bar tables just over the field, or take in the visiting team’s pitchers warming up in their new elevated bullpen. Above centre field at the 200 level, the WestJet Flight Deck has been refreshed with retro arcade games, a dj booth, and new menu items. Table-top curling remains a favourite here. “The Westjet Flight Deck has been one of the most popular spaces in the building, so it was certainly one of the things that led us to say, there\u2019s demand for this,\u201d said Anuk Karunartane, the Blue Jays\u2019 Executive Vice President of Business Operations.<\/p>\n

Table-top curling at the WestJet Flight Deck, image by Craig White<\/span><\/p>\n

Perched above left field at the 500 level, the Park Social was the next stop, delivering a new family-oriented common space that is inspired by the great parks of Toronto. This \u2018neighbourhood\u2019 enjoys a two level layout that offers casual seating and standing room on the lower level, while the upper level goes a step further. With features like turf flooring, baseball video game stations, Instagramable “swings”, and family games like corn hole, giant jenga, and connect four, the upper level of the Park Social adds another dimension to the experience of attending a baseball game.<\/p>\n

The Park Social, area offering games and family activities at 500 level, image by Matias Bessai<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, the tour concluded above right field, at the Corona Rooftop Patio. Also located at the 500 level, the space offers the coveted rooftop bar experience, with extensive standing space and views of the stadium – as well as the skyline, if the roof is open. Slatted wood panelling clads the walls, while artificial plants and warm lighting fixtures seek to create a more intimate and authentic rooftop atmosphere.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Corona Rooftop Lounge, inspired by rooftop patios in Toronto, with extensive standing room, image by Matias Bessai<\/span><\/p>\n

Karunartane went expanded upon the new fan experience offerings at the Rogers Centre, \u201cI guarantee there\u2019s going to be people that come in here and spend the entire game walking around all these spaces, maybe not even watching a single pitch.\u201d To experience all of the new facilities of the Outfield District, fans will only need to purchase a $20 General Admission ticket, allowing them to roam between them, with no affixed seating guaranteed. Fans who have purchased tickets for any seat in the Rogers Centre, however, are also free to roam to any of the Outfield District offerings.<\/p>\n

Beyond the new Outfield District, one of the most significant changes to the stadium was the raising of the home and away bullpens (the warmup space for pitchers). The adjustment brings the bullpens right up to the level of the surrounding spectators, as part of a larger effort to help fans feel more connected to the players. Because the Rogers Centre was constructed as a multi-purpose stadium, and not exclusively a baseball venue, changes like this are critical for the Blue Jays organization in order to create a more fan friendly experience.<\/p>\n

Raised bullpens bring fans closer to home and away players, image by Matias Bessai<\/span><\/p>\n

The home bullpen above left field is shown above, surrounded by 100-level seats; as mentioned earlier, the visitors’ bullpen above right field has the new ‘Rogers Landing’ beside it, offering a walk-in, walk-out way to watch the action in that pen.<\/p>\n

Work will resume next offseason, as the second phase gets underway to update the 100 level, with a focus on seating improvements, particularly in regards to sightlines. Other changes will include updates to the player facilities, introducing new amenities like yoga and mediation rooms, demonstrating a commitment to the player experience. For now though, all eyes are on the new Outfield District, and with the Jays\u2019 first home game just five days away, baseball fans will soon get to experience it first hand.\u00a0<\/p>\n

UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you’d like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.<\/p>\n

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UrbanToronto has a research service,\u00a0UrbanToronto Pro<\/a>, that provides comprehensive data on construction projects in the Greater Toronto Area\u2014from proposal through to completion. We also offer\u00a0Instant\u00a0Reports<\/a>, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter,\u00a0New Development Insider<\/a>, that tracks projects from initial application.<\/p>\n\n\n
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