ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — An official damage report of Tropicana Field has been released just one month after Hurricane Milton shredded its roof, resulting in significant damage to the home of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team.
In the 412-page detailed assessment report, the inspectors said the stadium overall appears to be “structurally sound.” The primary roof structure didn’t appear to be adversely affected, and it’s “serviceable and capable” of supporting a replacement roof.
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The structural integrity of the building is intact, and no significant impacts of the mechanical systems were observed. However, while the electrical system is intact, portions of the roof’s catwalk system and field level are questionable.
Reported damages
Nearly one-third of the ponding cables were dislodged from the ring beam and its connection failed during Milton. If the stadium’s roof is replaced, these cables will need to be reinstalled.
Some ring beam fabric clamps bent and need to be replaced, and some out diagonal and ridge cables were found somewhat deteriorated and need to be repaired.
The loose cladding panels were suggested to be secured or removed to prevent falling debris. The compression ring beam was filled with debris, which must be removed for safety. To install the new fabric panels, these must be replaced.
Eighteen of the 24 fabric panels on the roof were lost during the storm, and the backstop net rigging was entirely compromised and must be removed or replaced.
Replacement recommendations
The inspectors recommended all of the fabric panels, including the six left standing, be replaced, along with loose fabric to be removed from the cable dome structure.
A replacement of the outer fabric would change the stadium’s acoustics, making it “livelier,” absorbing sound as an “acoustic ceiling.” This change would generate more light transmission.
Impacted HVAC outlets were recommended to be sealed. In the meantime, portable HVAC or air fans may help prevent stale air, as the stadium remains exposed to the outdoors.
“With the Roof fabric installation many months away if repairs are authorized, a robust system of temporary building temperature control and continued installation of temporary protection is advised,” the inspectors added.
Estimated costs
A cost estimate was drafted up, consisting of content damage, fabric membrane roof, required removals, ballpark and work authorized to date costs.
Content damage, which the values and responsibilities must be determined by the Rays and City of St. Petersrbug, will come in at around $7,009,625 for audio-visual equipment, along with athletic surfaces.
The fabric membrane roof is estimated to be $23,590,910 for structural steel framing and fabric structures, while the ballpark will be roughly $13,162,482 for flooring, panels, roofing, and water and electrical system repairs.
Required removals around the stadium will cost an estimated $3,826,597, on top of $6,666,355 for work authorized to date for temporary constructions and removal and salvage.
This brings the total estimated cost to $55,724,982.
St. Pete Mayor Kenenth Welch released a statement on the damage report saying:
“The City continues to review the comprehensive damage assessment and remediation recommendation report received from Hennessy Construction in response to storm damage at Tropicana Field. We believe having our hometown team play in St. Petersburg as soon as possible is important for our community. The City plans to meet its obligations to ensure that the Rays can play in St. Pete, and the redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District and the construction of a new stadium move forward. As such, the City is implementing repairs to Tropicana Field with the hope that it will be ready for play for the 2026 season. We anticipate that the majority of the repair costs incurred by the City will be covered by insurance and FEMA reimbursements, making this approach both beneficial for community spirit and fiscally responsible for our community.”
In early October, Hurricane Milton’s 100+ mph winds took over all but six of the roof panels, according to the report.
They hope to have Tropicana Field reopen and operating by the start of the 2026 season, in April 2026.
Since the ballpark under this damage and repair assessment would not be ready until the 2026 season, the Rays must find another place to play next year.
Major League Baseball wants the Rays to remain in the area near their fanbase if at all possible, with several Tampa Bay-area spring training sites suggested. These include ballparks in Clearwater (Phillies), Tampa (Yankees), Dunedin (Blue Jays), Sarasota (Orioles), Lakeland (Tigers) and the Rays’ own spring training home in Port Charlotte. Most of these locations host minor league teams during summer.
A drone image shows the dome of Tropicana Field which has been torn open due to Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 10, 2024. At least four people were confirmed killed as a result of two tornadoes triggered by Hurricane Milton on the east coast of the US state of Florida, local authorities said Thursday. (Photo by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/AFP via Getty Images)
The planned new Rays ballpark is part of a $6.5 billion project that will include affordable housing, a Black history museum, retail and office space, restaurants and bars. The project is known as the Historic Gas Plant District, which was once a thriving Black community displaced by construction of the ballpark and an interstate highway.
WFLA.com has reached out for additional information.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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