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Rogers Centre

Rogers Centre was the first stadium of its kind in any sport when it opened as it was the first stadium with a retractable roof allowing any sport to be played indoors or outdoors. The idea of a new stadium in the Toronto area began in 1923 but it was 63 years before construction started on a stadium. In the early 1970s Toronto began trying to get a major league baseball team. They first tried to lure the San Francisco Giants to the city and then tried to get MLB, Measure League Baseball to expand to Toronto. Finally, in 1976 the city was awarded a major league franchise. The team, named the Toronto Blue Jays began playing in 1977. However, the city still did not have a new stadium for the team to play at. The Blue Jays played at Exhibition Stadium for 12 seasons before moving into a new stadium.

The new stadium is more than just a dome. It would have a retractable roof and would be home to baseball, football and many other events. Naming the stadium was a way fans got to participate. Over 12,879 fans submitted a large variety of suggestions to name the stadium including names such as Alfresco Stadium, Railway Place and the Zipper Dome. The name chosen for the stadium was announced on May 11, 1987, Sky Dome. For more than 15 years the stadium was known as Sky Dome before being renamed. In February 2005, Rogers Communications bought the stadium for 25 million dollars and renamed Sky Dome, Rogers Centre.

Opening ceremonies at Rogers Centre took place on June 3, 1989. Over 60,000 people watched the dome open for the first time. Two days later the Blue Jays made their debut at the Rogers Centre on June 5, 1989 when 51,000 fans filled the stadium. The retractable roof is built of four independent panels. Weighing over 21 million pounds, it takes 20 minutes for the roof to open or close. The Rogers Centre has five levels of seats that extend from right centerfield to home plate and to left centerfield. All of the lower level seats are moveable and can form a football configuration.

The Blue Jays have also had success at the Rogers Centre, winning the 1992 and 1993 World Series. The stadium is also the home of the Toronto Argonaughts and was the home of the Toronto Raptors NBA, National Basketball Association from 1995 until 1999.

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