Blue Jays show off stadium renovations

The so-called outfield district got the love last year at Rogers Centre. Now it's time for a renovated 100-level seating area, new-look dugouts and fresh turf at the home of the Toronto Blue Jays.

TORONTO – The so-called outfield district got the love last year at Rogers Centre. Now it’s time for a renovated 100-level seating area, new-look dugouts and fresh turf at the home of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Team brass showed off the latest changes to the downtown stadium on Thursday with a media tour that showcased the modernized lower bowl.

“What we really focused on is reimagining this bowl,” said Marnie Starkman, the team’s executive vice-president of business operations. “Changing the seating bowl, making sure that people have a little more width, some more legroom, some cupholders, and just thinking about a modern ballpark.”

The latest renovation is part of the transition from a multi-purpose stadium to a ballpark-first venue, no easy task for an aging domed stadium without natural grass.

The first phase of the renovations was completed for the start of the 2023 season. It featured new bars, social spaces, balconies and new seats in the outfield and 500-level sections.

There were also significant field-level changes with raised bullpens and a new outfield fence with adjusted dimensions.

The latest renovations forced the Blue Jays to start the 2024 campaign with a 10-game road trip so the finishing touches could be applied. The changes were immediately noticeable upon entry into the 35-year-old facility.

Originally designed for a variety of sports and events, new cushioned seats are positioned so that spectators are looking towards the infield/home plate area.