ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — In the wake of Hurricane Milton’s devastating impact, St. Petersburg is allocating approximately $6.5 million for cleanup efforts and preventative measures at Tropicana Field, the home venue for the Tampa Bay Rays. The hurricane, which struck on October 9, inflicted significant damage to the stadium, particularly to its translucent fiberglass roof, raising concerns about whether repairs can be completed before the 2025 season begins. Major League Baseball is pressing for the Rays to continue playing in the region if the facility is not ready, potentially at various spring training locations nearby.
On Thursday, the city council approved two contracts with private firms to undertake urgent remediation tasks, which include clearing debris from the roof and removing the damaged field turf. Additionally, the contracts call for waterproofing several critical areas such as the scoreboard, seated sections, suites, and press facilities. These measures are essential as the ballpark lacks a drainage system, leaving it vulnerable to further damage from rainfall if the protective roof is not in place.
Rob Gerdes, the city’s administrator, emphasized the need for immediate action. “We need to act quickly to protect the building from further damage,” he stated. City officials are conducting a thorough assessment to understand the full scope of repairs needed for Tropicana Field, as well as estimating costs and the timeline involved in these efforts. A significant factor affecting this situation is the city’s initiative to build a new $1.3 billion stadium, expected to open its doors in 2028, as part of a broader urban renewal strategy approved earlier this year. As part of this agreement, the Rays have pledged to remain in the St. Petersburg area for an additional 30 years.
Council member Brandi Gabbard raised concerns over the justification of investing in a stadium that will only be in use for a limited time before the new venue takes over. The two cleanup contracts have been awarded, with BMS CAT receiving $3.9 million and Hennessy Construction Services Corp. $2.5 million. This funding aligns with a projected $22 million deductible that St. Petersburg has with the stadium’s insurers, who mandate that efforts to protect the facility against further degradation must be prioritized.
Some council members pushed to postpone the vote for additional information regarding the future of the stadium, but this motion resulted in a tie and was ultimately unsuccessful. Others highlighted the urgency to prevent further damage, with council member Gina Driscoll noting, “This is about stopping the bleeding. It sounds like pay now or pay later, and pay more later.”
Potential temporary venues for the Rays have been discussed, including local spring training facilities used by teams like the Phillies, Blue Jays, Yankees, Pirates, and Tigers, alongside the Rays’ own spring complex located 85 miles south in Port Charlotte. There is also the option of utilizing the ballpark at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports, near Orlando.
The Rays’ administrative team has already made arrangements to work from a nearby office. Major League Baseball is keen on finalizing a hosting plan for the 2025 season by Christmas. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed confidence in the adaptability of plans, stating, “We can make it work in a minor league park… There’s probably some flexibility regarding what we do with the big league schedule.”
