MLB Rumors: Toronto Blue Jays Provide Update on New Stadium

Toronto Blue Jays fans shouldn't hold their breath for a new stadium as it appears to be 10-15 years away. This according to Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro who announced late this week that there's a huge renovation coming to the lower bowl of Roger's Centre and a face lift to the player's facilities.

Talks of a new grass-field stadium have been ongoing for years and it appears the team is willing to dump some money into reno's as a mid-level upgrade that should provide enough change to satisfy the fans at this point. Roger's Centre has long been known as a concrete jungle and it's great to see the team continues to look for ways to improve and develop the experience for fans.

Mark Shapiro views these renovations as a “mid-term solution” and says this is not being done “instead of” a new stadium.

This will set up the #BlueJays for 10-15 years, he estimates, which gives the organization time to plan and develop a potential new stadium or larger project

— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) March 25, 2022

Shapiro mentioned the Blue Jays will eventually need to build a new facility in the same spot of their current one, or look for another spot in and around Toronto to host games. Their latest renovation which was approved by ownership will start construction next offseason and is expected to be completed by 2024. As the Blue Jays president mentioned, they want to turn the stadium into a ball park, music to the ears of fans.

As for the cost, no word on final numbers but likely in the $200 million range. While the stadium cost $570 million to build back in 1989, Rogers acquired the building for $25 million in 2004. Great to see they plan to continue the renovation and keep baseball in the dome for years to come.

Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports