Toronto dome turns 25

A well known building is marking a milestone. You may call it Skydome — but it’s now the Rogers Centre — and it’s now 25-years old. The stadium was built with a lot of fanfare in the late 80’s. The opening ceremony was fit for the likes of the Oscars or the Olympics, and on June 3rd 1989, the world welcomed Skydome, the first stadium with a fully retractable roof.

David Bowick is a Principal with Blackwell Engineering: “They were doing something new. New and big and new on a global scale in a way, so it was very exciting.”

It took over two years for the stadium to be built. It covers 11.5 acres and with the roof closed can fit a 31-storey building at centre field. Two days after the official opening, the Blue Jays played their first game at the dome, and that was just the beginning.

“My father has brought us to the second game here at Skydome and we even have a really cute plaque in memory of that second game.”

“Just to be here was such a big hype at the time.”

“1992, 93 when they won the World Series and it was wonderful.”

The Toronto Argonauts and Raptors called Skydome, the Rogers Centre home. Thousands of concerts, events and even world leaders like Nelson Mandela and the Dalai Lama have graced its artificial turf.

Recently, the Rogers Centre has gone through a ton of changes, from high definition screens throughout the inside of the building to a very popular patio overlooking the outfield during baseball games. But after a quarter century, how has the Rogers Centre aged, both in terms of engineering, and as a good time on a friday night.”

David said: “It’s aged extremely well. It serves its function very well, it’s in good condition. The Rogers Centre is always great — it’s part of Toronto culture, and part of Toronto’s teams, and the love of the city, of Rogers Centre”

There are no specific events planned by Rogers Centre officials. But friday marks the 25th anniversary of the first Blue Jays game and there will be ceremonies held for that, put on by the Blue Jays.