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Dive Brief:
- Repair of the Camp Tropicana roof in St. Petersburg, Fla., before the start of the 2026 season would cost $55.7 million, according to a city report obtained by AP News.
- The roof of the home of MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays broke up with Hurricane Milton landed in the region on Oct. 9, ripping off 18 of the 24 fabric panels on top of the site, AP reported. The storm also damaged interior parts of the track.
- The stadium is scheduled to be demolished once again A $1.3 billion stadium opens for the 2028 season. With the many costs that the city – which owns the stadium – and Pinellas County have incurred due to two hurricanes this fall, municipalities may reconsider plans or decide not to repair The Trop, he reported AP News.
Diving knowledge:
The venue’s roof was built to withstand winds of up to 115 mph, according to the team’s media guide.
A 412-page report released Nov. 12 by St. Petersburg-based Hennessy Construction Services found that the dome’s structure “does not appear to have been adversely affected,” according to AP News. According to the report, the main structure remains serviceable and capable of supporting a new fabric roof.
However, spending cash on the solution may not be high on your to-do list. The city’s insurance on the damage includes a $22 million deductible, so it would only cover a portion of the overall repair costs, according to AP News.
“We have a lot of needs across the city,” City Councilor Brandi Gabbard said at a meeting, according to AP News. “I love the Rays. I love Tropicana Field. It’s not about not wanting to do this. It’s about a balance of priorities.”
A construction crane actually collapsed in Milton’s strong winds, leaving a gaping hole in a downtown St. Petersburg office building that houses many businesses, including the Tampa Bay Times. Crews quickly removed the crane after the stormaccording to the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
As for the team’s future home, the US arm of Sweden-based Skanska announced that it would act as the owner’s representative in the $6.5 billion redevelopment of historic gas plant property in Saint Petersburg. The builder and developer will also act as the owner’s representative for the design and construction of the Rays’ new stadium as part of the development.
