Adam McCormick, Toronto, CN -- Feb 07, 2008 21:41 PM
10 visit(s). My rating: 7
The Rogers Centre (Skydome) was state of the art when it first opened in 1989 as the replacement for Exhibition Stadium. The Skydome had only a handful of seasons under its belt when a flood of new "old-style" stadiums were being built and the Dome seemed quickly to be on the outside of a trend of classic baseball architecture. A new ownership of the team and building has meant a new commitment to updating and retro-fitting the Rogers Centre to make it feel more inviting. More open space and less cold concrete. Things have already improved. The turf was upgraded from Astroturf to the Fieldturf which is closer in look and feel to actual grass. A real grass playing surface has been deemed not only impractical but impossible to maintain. The stadium has been fitting with several new video screens as well as a cutting edge replacement for the aging giant Jumbotron display above the centerfield wall. I’ve come to love the Rogers Centre for what it is. It’s meant to be a multi-purpose entertainment centre and less of a dedicated baseball stadium. It's great to enjoy baseball in Toronto even if it’s not the classic stadiums that other cities are embracing.