Someone leaked a photo of the new screen at Toronto's Rogers Centre and it's huge
Toronto's hopes for a new ballpark have been dashed, at least for now. But that doesn't mean the existing Rogers Centre (which longtime residents still stubbornly insist on calling SkyDome) isn't getting some love in the short term.
The aging home of the Toronto Blue Jays is undergoing the first phase of a still-developing modernization plan, starting with the installation of a massive digital display and scoreboard that replaces the previous fixture.
Marking the third display in the stadium's over three-decade history, the new screen replaces the previous Daktronics LED displays installed in the stadium back in 2005, which followed the original Sony JumboTron installed for the dome's 1989 opening.
Work on this enlarged scoreboard/video display began in late 2021 with the disassembly of the 2005 screen. The display was broken down into 16-pixel x 16-pixel modules, now being auctioned off by the Blue Jays for $200 a pop.
Today in "Wait, you can get that?" - the Blue Jays are auctioning off pieces of the old Rogers Centre scoreboard for $200 CAD a pop. https://t.co/Xt5YukaFuO pic.twitter.com/EJDYgu0FsW
Several months into the project, a new photo was revealed, offering a first glimpse of the near-complete video board, which has not just been replaced by a modern screen but expanded with horizontal wings.
Heres an update for the Jays Scoreboard #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/566E2nZLQD
These new extensions come at a price, though, requiring the closure of the former Sightlines Restaurant (previously the Hard Rock Cafe) on the 300 level. Basically, the stadium has determined that additional screen coverage offers more value than a field-facing restaurant.
It also looks like sightlines restaurant is permanently closed. This is from the team website. pic.twitter.com/BSIPmhjMQ4
It's a promising-looking upgrade, but some fans seem to be growing tired of patchwork renovations to a ballpark that is now among the oldest in Major League Baseball, designed in an era where stadiums were designed to host multiple sports.
By the year 2030, the entire outfield will be one giant scoreboard and the lower bowl seats will still point in the wrong direction.
While it might look nice, there is no indication that fans will get to enjoy the new display any time soon, an ongoing labour dispute threatening to impact the 2022 season.
Looks great. It also looks like my tickets for a game in April might be cancelled 🙄
The Blue Jays have stayed tight-lipped about the new screen's specifics, only telling media that it would be in place for the coming season.
Whether that season happens this year or is delayed by a lockout has yet to be determined.
Join the conversation Load comments
35 games at the CNE ranked from easiest to hardest
Iconic rainbow slide at Toronto's CNE shut down due to equipment malfunction
Mark Wahlberg is hanging out in Muskoka and was just spotted hitting up a popular gym
35 beaches in and near Toronto you need to visit this summer
Toronto is about to get a brand new free outdoor social club
Toronto man set to be first person with disabilities to paddle across each Great Lake
New first of its kind spinning ride at Canada's Wonderland will make you hurl
Toronto gives Serena Williams emotional standing ovation after last ever match in Canada