SkyDome Roof
Toronto's iconic retractable-roof stadium, home of the Blue Jays.
Rogers Centre (originally SkyDome) is a retractable roof stadium in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated at the base of the CN Tower near the northern shore of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989 on the former Railway Lands, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). As well as being improved over the decades, during the MLB offseasons of 2022–24, the stadium was renovated by upgrading the sports facilities and hospitality whilst reducing the capacity for baseball games. While it is primarily a sports venue, the stadium also hosts other large events such as conventions, trade fairs, concerts, travelling carnivals, circuses and monster truck shows.
- Opening Year
- 1989
- Location
- Toronto, Ontario
- Feature Type
- Fully Automated Retractable Roof
- Historic First
- World's first stadium to have a fully retractable motorized roof
- Primary Tenant
- Toronto Blue Jays
- Status
- Operational
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The stadium was designed by architect Rod Robbie and structural engineer Michael Allen. Construction lasted from October 1986 to May 1989, and the approximate cost was C$570 million. The roof consists of four panels: one fixed and three moved by electrically driven 'train' engines on high-strength railway rails. The roof takes approximately 20 minutes to open. The stadium was renamed 'Rogers Centre' following the 2005 purchase by Rogers Communications. It is noted for being the first stadium with a fully retractable motorized roof and for its 348-room hotel with 70 rooms overlooking the field.
In Their Own Story
On a humid night in July, the roof's machinery would hum to life as steel panels shifted on high-strength railway rails. One fixed panel sat on the north end while three others moved via electrically driven 'train' engines. The entire process took exactly 20 minutes to open or close. The roof itself consisted of steel trusses covered by corrugated steel cladding and a single-ply PVC membrane. This reliability was crucial; architects deliberately avoided the problems that plagued Montreal's Olympic Stadium by keeping the design simple yet sturdy. During the 1989 opening season, the team played their first two months at Exhibition Stadium because construction finished two months late. Later, in 2022–24, renovations upgraded facilities and hospitality while reducing baseball capacity. The venue also hosted the Bills Toronto Series from 2008 to 2013 and served as the Pan-Am Ceremonies Venue in 2015.
Reader's Guide
The stadium is located at the base of the CN Tower near the northern shore of Lake Ontario. It is accessible via the SkyWalk, an enclosed walkway connecting to Union Station and part of the Path network. The John Street cable-stayed bridge provides north–south passage over rail tracks, linking Front Street with the stadium.
Did You Know?
- The stadium was originally named SkyDome and is still commonly referred to as SkyDome in informal contexts among fans.
- It is the last North American major-league stadium built to accommodate both football and baseball.
- The stadium served as the site of both the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2015 Pan American Games.
- The roof takes approximately 20 minutes to open, not exactly 20 minutes.
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