Blue Jays show off final phase of Rogers Centre renovations ahead of home opener
The Toronto Blue Jays have unveiled the final phase of multi-year renovations at Rogers Centre ahead of next week’s home opener.
Among the new features introduced on Thursday is a reimagined 100-level seating bowl designed with cup holders, additional legroom, and slats on the back of each chair to increase airflow. The renovation also saw a new clubhouse and additional player facilities built on the third-base side.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
“We’ve still got work to do ahead of Monday, but it really feels great,” Marnie Starkman, the vice president of business operations with the team, told CTV News Toronto Thursday. “It’s really bringing fans closer to the field and the ballpark [...] and that's really what our focus was."
To complete the demolition and rebuild, an estimated 350 workers logged approximately 400,000 hours during the off-season, according to a news release issued by the front office Thursday.
Toronto Blue Jays showcase the all-new 100 level seating bowl at Rogers Centre. The original 100 level infield seating bowl was fully demolished from foul pole to foul pole, and redesigned for a baseball-first viewing experience. (CNW Group/Toronto Blue Jays)
The first stage of the renovation, completed in April of last year, saw all 500-level seats replaced to make room for five open social spaces, including the family-oriented Park Social and the Corona Rooftop Patio, along with raised bullpens and a new outfield.
People tour one of the new landing areas by the visitors bullpen as renovations completed to the Rogers Centre stadium are unveiled during a tour, in Toronto, Thursday, April 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
The project, first announced in 2022, was initially projected to cost about $300 million, but new totals provided Thursday put the price tag closer to $400 million.
On April 8, the Blue Jays will take on the Mariners at their home opener in Toronto.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bird flu, measles top 2025 concerns for Canada's chief public health officer
As we enter 2025, Dr. Theresa Tam has her eye on H5N1 bird flu, an emerging virus that had its first human case in Canada this year.
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Body found in wheel well of plane at Maui airport
A person was found dead in the wheel well of a United Airlines flight to Maui on Tuesday.
Ottawa police identify victim of Christmas Day homicide in Hintonburg, charge suspect
The Ottawa Police Service says the victim who has been killed on Christmas Day in Hintonburg has been identified.
Christmas shooting at Phoenix airport leaves 3 people wounded
Police are investigating a Christmas shooting at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix that left three people injured by gunfire.
Your kid is spending too much time on their phone. Here's what to do about it
Wondering what your teen is up to when you're not around? They are likely on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram or Snapchat, according to a new report.
Plush toys recalled due to choking hazard
Health Canada announced a recall on a series of plush toys due to a choking hazard. Anyone who has purchased an elephant, giraffe, lion, tiger and/or panda plush toy with an attached baby can return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
6,000 inmates stage Christmas Day escape from high-security Mozambique prison
At least 6,000 inmates escaped from a high-security prison in Mozambique's capital on Christmas Day after a rebellion, the country's police chief said, as widespread post-election riots and violence continue to engulf the country.
Azerbaijan observes day of mourning for air crash victims as speculation mount about its cause
Azerbaijan on Thursday observed a nationwide day of mourning for the victims of the plane crash that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured as speculation mounted about a possible cause of the disaster, with some experts saying that the airliner was damaged by Russian air defence fire.
Bird flu kills more than half the big cats at a Washington sanctuary
Bird flu has been on the rise in Washington state and one sanctuary was hit hard: 20 big cats – more than half of the facility’s population – died over the course of weeks.
Montreal
-
WEATHERWEATHER Smog warning in effect in Montreal, Laval
Residents of Montreal, Laval and other regions are advised that a smog warning is in effect.
-
Teen cancer patient pays forward Make-A-Wish donation to local fire department
A 16-year-old cancer patient from Hemmingford, Que. decided to donate his Make-A-Wish Foundation gift to the local fire department rather than use it himself.
-
Ship remains stalled on St-Lawrence River north of Montreal
A ship that lost power on the St. Lawrence River on Christmas Eve, remains stationary north of Montreal.
Ottawa
-
Ottawa police identify victim of Christmas Day homicide in Hintonburg, charge suspect
The Ottawa Police Service says the victim who has been killed on Christmas Day in Hintonburg has been identified.
-
Ottawa G1 driver caught driving uninsured, unaccompanied with out-of-service plate on HWY 417
A G1 driver is facing multiple charges after being stopped on Highway 417 in Ottawa for out-of-service licence plate Wednesday, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
-
YEAR-IN-REVIEW
YEAR-IN-REVIEW Top stories in Ottawa in 2024
It was a year of change in Ottawa in 2024, with federal public servants required to spend more time in the office, alcohol now available in grocery stores and gas stations, and the Ottawa Senators taking the next step towards moving downtown.
Northern Ontario
-
Bird flu, measles top 2025 concerns for Canada's chief public health officer
As we enter 2025, Dr. Theresa Tam has her eye on H5N1 bird flu, an emerging virus that had its first human case in Canada this year.
-
Indigenous family faced discrimination in North Bay, Ont., when they were kicked off transit bus
Ontario's Human Rights Tribunal has awarded members of an Indigenous family in North Bay $15,000 each after it ruled they were victims of discrimination.
-
Your kid is spending too much time on their phone. Here's what to do about it
Wondering what your teen is up to when you're not around? They are likely on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram or Snapchat, according to a new report.
Kitchener
-
Marking the start of Hanukkah in Guelph and Waterloo Region
People across Guelph and Waterloo Region are celebrating the start of Hanukkah.
-
Baden-born player, Guelph Storm forward and former Kitchener Ranger prepare to hit the ice at World Juniors
Waterloo Region and Guelph will be well represented as the International Ice Hockey Federation World Juniors gets underway.
-
Boxing Day bargain hunters hit GTA stores in search of deals
Deal hunters are hitting stores around the GTA today to try take advantage of Boxing Day bargains and a tax holiday that offers further discounts.
London
-
Palace Theatre boarded up over the holidays due to recent damage
A break in, theft, and continued property damage has led to the boarding up of the Palace Theatre over the Christmas holidays.
-
Knights stars ready to help Canada chase gold at World Juniors
Three London Knights are on the roster, including Easton Cowan, who scored a hat-trick in Canada’s first exhibition game.
-
London fire responds to Wellington Road collision, contains fuel leak
London Fire Department was on the scene of a two vehicle collision involving a delivery truck on Tuesday morning.
Windsor
-
Mother-daughter duo pursuing university dreams at the same time
For one University of Windsor student, what is typically a chance to gain independence from her parents has become a chance to spend more time with her biggest cheerleader — her mom.
-
VIDEO
VIDEO From a repaired stuffed animal to an ATV, shoppers reveal the best gift they have ever received
We asked people of all ages getting in some last-minute Christmas Eve shopping inside Windsor’s Devonshire Mall to talk about the best present they've ever received — and their answers might just warm your heart this holiday season.
-
'We may have to look at other sensible locations': Where will Windsor’s new H4 be located?
The search for a site to house Windsor’s new Homelessness and Housing Help Hub (H4) is back underway after the city scrapped plans at 700 Wellington Avenue on Monday.
Barrie
-
Last minute shoppers braced for chaos but found calm on Christmas Eve
Many shoppers were out on Christmas Eve, and while the rush was expected to be chaotic, many found the day surprisingly manageable.
-
Help this missing pup make it home for Christmas
The Ontario SPCA in Barrie needs your help bringing this handsome pup home to his family before Christmas.
-
Fatal snowmobile crash in northern Ont. near Parry Sound
A 30-year-old has died following a snowmobile crash near Parry Sound on Sunday.
Winnipeg
-
'They gambled with trees': Cutting down trees resumes in Lemay Forest
The next chapter of the Lemay Forest saga has unfolded as the sounds of trees coming down could be heard Monday.
-
One person dead, another injured following Monday night house fire
One person has died and another is in unstable condition following a house fire Monday evening.
-
Winnipeg police investigating string of packages being stolen
The Winnipeg Police Service is investigating a string of package thefts in the Transcona area.
Atlantic
-
Police in New Brunswick investigating woman's sudden death
Police in Saint John, N.B., are investigating the sudden death of a 30-year-old woman.
-
Plush toys recalled due to choking hazard
Health Canada announced a recall on a series of plush toys due to a choking hazard. Anyone who has purchased an elephant, giraffe, lion, tiger and/or panda plush toy with an attached baby can return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
-
Nova Scotia premier tones down rhetoric toward Ottawa in end of year interview
On the heels of a resounding election victory one month ago, Nova Scotia's premier is adopting a more measured tone when it comes to assessing his province's relationship with the federal government.
N.L.
-
Her son needed help with addiction. Instead, he's spending Christmas in N.L. jail.
As Gwen Perry prepares for a Christmas without contact from her son, who is locked inside a notorious St. John's, N.L., jail, she wants people to understand that many inmates need help, not incarceration.
-
A massive, menacing Steller's sea eagle is dazzling birders in a Newfoundland park
A national park in Newfoundland has made the unusual move of opening in the winter so people can catch a glimpse of its rare and menacing new guest.
-
Newfoundland woman washed sick patients' hair every Saturday for more than 20 years
A retired nurse and teacher in Newfoundland was honoured this week for her volunteer work, which included more than two decades washing the hair of bedridden hospital patients.
Edmonton
-
Alberta premier hopes for health reform payoff in 2025, regrets deferring tax cut
"It may have been better for Albertans if we'd implemented and then found a way to be able to pay for it."
-
Naheed Nenshi finding his feet leading an Alberta NDP still under construction
Nenshi finding his feet leading an Alberta NDP still under construction
-
Donald Trump says he urged Wayne Gretzky to run for prime minister in Christmas visit
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump says he told Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky he should run for prime minister during a Christmas visit but adds that the athlete declined interest in politics.
Calgary
-
Naheed Nenshi finding his feet leading an Alberta NDP still under construction
Nenshi finding his feet leading an Alberta NDP still under construction
-
Bird flu, measles top 2025 concerns for Canada's chief public health officer
As we enter 2025, Dr. Theresa Tam has her eye on H5N1 bird flu, an emerging virus that had its first human case in Canada this year.
-
Solar burgers: How agrivoltaics is marrying food production with green energy
Jason Bradley spent 20 years of his career as ranch manager at a 50,000-acre grazing operation in west-central Alberta, so he understands why people react with skepticism to the idea of raising a herd of cattle on a working solar farm.
Regina
-
Pedestrian collision sends man to hospital with life-threatening injuries
One man has been sent to hospital with life-threatening injuries after he was struck by a vehicle in the early hours of Wednesday in Regina.
-
Here's what's open and what's closed in Regina this holiday season
Here's what residents can expect in terms of city services as Regina slides right into the Christmas holidays.
-
Raised in Sask. after his family fled Hungary, this man spent decades spying on communists for the RCMP
As a Communist Party member in Calgary in the early 1940s, Frank Hadesbeck performed clerical work at the party office, printed leaflets and sold books.
Saskatoon
-
Raised in Sask. after his family fled Hungary, this man spent decades spying on communists for the RCMP
As a Communist Party member in Calgary in the early 1940s, Frank Hadesbeck performed clerical work at the party office, printed leaflets and sold books.
-
IN PICTURES: CTV Saskatoon viewers send us their holiday photos
A living gallery of viewer-submitted photos from the holiday season. Share your pictures with us at SaskatoonNews@bellmedia.ca
-
Sask. highway closed following serious collision
The Saskatchewan RCMP are investigating a serious collision on Highway 7, approximately 15 kilometres west of Rosetown.
Vancouver
-
Thousands without power on Christmas as winds, rain continue in B.C. coastal areas
Thousands of people in British Columbia are without power on Christmas Day as ongoing rainfall and strong winds collapse power lines, disrupt travel and toss around holiday decorations.
-
Passenger dead following pickup truck crash in Surrey, B.C.
A section of B.C.’s Highway 15 has closed following a crash that killed a person Christmas Day.
-
Homegrown gift-giving initiative makes Christmas morning magic for families in need
On Christmas morning, hundreds of families throughout the Lower Mainland who otherwise might not have had anything to open were given sackfuls of brightly wrapped gifts to unwrap with their families, courtesy of a grassroots charity ran by one Surrey woman.
Vancouver Island
-
BC Ferries cancels many Christmas Day sailings, says others 'at risk'
The stormy weather in the forecast for B.C.'s South Coast is already disrupting many Christmas Day travel plans.
-
Janitors at Vancouver airport ratify deal with employer, end strike
The janitors who clean the Vancouver International Airport have ratified a new collective agreement with their employer, ending their strike on Christmas Eve.
-
Gas leaking after truck crash in Port Moody not ammonia, police say
There were tense moments for first responders in Port Moody on Christmas Eve, after a commercial truck crashed and began leaking gas.
