The Rogers Centre

2774 Words6 Pages

The Rogers Centre, originally named SkyDome, is located in downtown Toronto near Lake Ontario. Situated at the base of the CN Tower, the visually captivating dome stands 31 stories tall and covers 11.5 acres. (CITE 1) Aside from its physical dominance, the dome is an architecturally interesting and significant structure because it was the world’s first stadium with a fully retractable roof. Furthermore, the multi-purpose building is very important to the city of Toronto because the venue has accommodated over 50 million people attending thousands of events since it opened just less than 25 years ago in June of 1989.

This report will begin by outlining the history of the dome that began as SkyDome and was later purchased by Roger’s Communications in 2005 and renamed Rogers Center. Details about the design, structural elements, and the construction will follow and related models, drawings, and pictures will accompany the text throughout. I chose not to include the details regarding the over budget construction costs that tarnished the otherwise impressive history of the dome.

The idea to build a domed sports venue in Toronto came after a driving rainstorm during the Grey Cup Football game of November 1982. The media nicknamed the game “the Rain Bowl.” (CITE 2) The rain forced thousands of fans to move from their uncovered seats to instead watch the game from the concession stands. Making matters worse, the aging Exhibition stadium also suffered from overflowing washrooms. Politicians, including the Premier of Ontario, were among the fans attending the drenched Grey Cup game held at the outdoor stadium. Paul Godfrey, then Metro Chairman, said the words, “Never again.” (CITEZ) The game attracted close to 8 million televisio...

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...e dome is open during the day, natural light reduces energy consumption and favourable outdoor air temperatures can be taken advantage of. From 1985 until 1989, the pieces of this intricate puzzle came together slowly, but in an exacting manner that enabled everyone on the 5,000 person team making it to create something magnificent. (CITE last)

In conclusion the Rogers Centre, formerly known as SkyDome, is an excellent example of a structurally significant building. The success of its inovative design that allows this venue to be used year round for hundreds of functions including, baseball and football games, concerts, trade shows, and that is planned for the upcoming opening and closing of the Pan American Games makes it an integral part of the city of Toronto. Hopefully this impressive structure will last 300 years as the architect Rod Robbie predicted.

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