Report Indicates Renovation Of Tropicana Field Would Be Costly
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Rays' Ownership Group Has Dismissed Pleas
To Renovate, Preserve Tropicana Field |
Even with a $471M "overhaul, complete with a retractable roof, supersized concourse and upgraded seating, Tropicana Field would remain a subpar facility with substantial design flaws," according to a Rays' consultant report cited by Cristina Silva of the ST. PETERSBURG TIMES. Architecture firm Populous President Joe Spear: "When we got done this would be a B-, B+ type of baseball facility as opposed to, obviously, if we do a brand new ballpark, it would be an A+." The Rays' ownership group has "long dismissed pleas to renovate and preserve Tropicana Field," and the report "supports the team's assertion that a new stadium would compete as an entertainment venue and attract more fans." Rays Senior VP/Development & Business Affairs Michael Kalt in a letter to A Baseball Community (ABC), the civic group that is studying the possibilities of a new ballpark for the Rays, wrote, "We believe the study leaves little doubt that a renovation of Tropicana Field would not be a prudent course of action going forward." The renovation "would cost more than the Rays' abandoned plan to build a $450[M] waterfront stadium." The "costliest change would require removing the dome roof and replacing it with a retractable fabric roof, along with glass or transparent panes in the exterior wall to bring in more natural light." Those features "add up to at least $221[M], or almost half of the total renovation cost." The report indicates that the redesign "could be completed as soon as 2013," and construction "would likely force the team to move to a temporary location for some or all of one season." ABC also has "discussed hiring an independent consultant to take a second look at how much it would cost to remodel" the ballpark. Silva notes the Rays' ballpark situation has "played a significant role in the forthcoming mayoral election, with many candidates calling for the team to keep Tropicana Field or build a new stadium near that site." But the report "did little to sway candidates who have rallied to keep the stadium or refurbish it" (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 6/16).
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