Adedokun Waliyu 
While many are expecting some big changes on the field at Rogers Centre for the Toronto Blue Jays with the MLB trade deadline looming, the team on Thursday announced changes off the field.
Rogers Centre will be getting yet another facelift in its never-ending quest to give fans a great ballpark experience. This time, the team has announced changes for the 100 level as part of the next phase of renovations.
At the end of the 2023 season, the entire 100 level seating bowl will be demolished and then “rebuilt to introduce a modern ballpark experience designed specifically for baseball viewing, bringing Blue Jays fans even closer to the action,” according to a release from the team.
The team previously had announced in April the coming addition of three new premium clubs and seating sections.
A rendering of plans for the Rogers Centre new 100 level.
A rendering of plans for the Rogers Centre new 100 level.
According to the release, new key features for the 100 level include:
— 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 the previously announced premium seating experiences.
— A design 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 remodelled bowl structure.
A view from the 100 level outfield seats at Rogers Centre in Toronto is shown in an artist’s rendering in this handout.
A view from the 100 level outfield seats at Rogers Centre in Toronto is shown in an artist’s rendering in this handout.
“Our goal from the onset of renovations was to transform Rogers Centre from a stadium to a ballpark, and we are excited to build off the enthusiasm and popularity of the new Outfield District in this next phase of projects,” team president and CEO Mark Shapiro said in the release.
“By completely rebuilding the 100 level seating bowl, we are introducing an authentic ballpark viewing experience, with sightlines designed specifically for fans to enjoy Blue Jays baseball.”
During the previous off-season, Rogers Centre underwent several big renovations in the outfield areas of the stands, including massive improvements in the 500 level and around the bullpens areas, also changing the outfield fence.
