Work is well underway on the multi-year Rogers Centre renovation following Rogers Stadium Limited Partnership awarding the second phase of the project to PCL Constructors Canada Inc. (Toronto).
The second phase of work is part of a more than $300 million multi-year renovation that aims to transform the 34-year-old multi-purpose stadium into a ballpark through a series of projects focused on modernizing the fan experience and building world-class player facilities for Canada’s baseball team.
“PCL and our partners are passionate about bringing the Toronto Blue Jays’ reimagined vision for Rogers Centre to life,” says Monique Buckberger, vice president and district manager, PCL Constructors Canada Inc. (Toronto). “Following the complex, fast-track renovation completed in just six months for the 2023 season, the second phase of the project will deliver an even greater volume of work in the same time frame, as the 100 level seating bowl is demolished and rebuilt to bring Blue Jays fans an experience designed specifically for baseball.”
The first phase of the project achieved substantial completion on March 31, 2023 and opened to fans on April 11 for the 2023 season Blue Jays Home Opener.
The highly anticipated second phase of the renovation features a reimagined 100 level seating bowl and structure (from foul pole to foul pole) designed specifically for baseball viewing, with an all-new, best-in-class Blue Jays clubhouse in addition to three new premium clubs and seating sections. The 100 level seating bowl features:
- A more comfortable experience with additional legroom, modern-shaped seats with slats on the back that provide more airflow, wider seats between the dugouts, cupholders throughout, adaptable raisable armrest options and handrails in every aisle.
- Greater variety of seating options including different vantage points from new sections, accessible field level seats plus premium seating experiences.
- Designed specifically for baseball viewing with seats oriented towards the infield, improved sightlines with less obstruction and new seats closer to the action as a result of the remodeled bowl structure.
The three new premium clubs include:
- Batting Tunnel Clublocated behind home plate – third base side.
- Home Plate Clublocated directly behind home plate.
- The Loungelocated behind home plate – first base side.
Fast Facts – Phase 2 Work to Date
Demolition and Excavation
The structural demolition of the lower bowl took place from October 13 to 26, removing and recycling 29.5 million pounds of materials in 13 days, equivalent to 2.2 million pounds per day; this included:
- 26.5 million pounds of concrete
- 3 million pounds of steel
Field level excavation to create below ground space for the new player facilities and premium clubs, took place from October 23 to November 6. During this period, approximately 780 truckloads of materialswere removed from the ballpark while 530 loadswere brought in.
To facilitate the excavation, a temporary bridge was installed over the site of the former seating bowl. At the peak of demolition and excavation work, 10 excavators were on site with 344 dump truckscycling in and out of Rogers Centre over the temporary bridge in one day.
An average of 350 workers have been on site daily – more than three times the number of workers compared to phase one demolition.
New Build
With a fast-tracked construction timeline, formwork for the new build began and the first new concrete was poured on the same day demolition completed (October 26).
Approximately 500 truckloads worth of concrete are expected to be poured to complete the project.
On November 9, a major piece of mechanical equipment was delivered by crane from Bremner Blvd. into Rogers Centre through an opening in the roof.
The first structural steel column was put up on November 13. A total of 2.4 million pounds of structural steel has been fabricated offsite and will be installed at Rogers Centre to complete the project.
Featured image: To facilitate the excavation during the second phase of renovations to Rogers Centre, a temporary bridge was installed over the site of the former seating bowl. (Toronto Blue Jays)
