2024-11-17T14:27:49-05:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150454479/major-league-baseball-says-damaged-tropicana-field-won-t-be-playable-until-2026 Josh Niland 2024-11-17T08:00:00-05:00 >2024-11-15T18:44:54-05:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/4a/4a5635415da06e200ee5c4a190358bbb.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><em><p>A new roof would be the largest expense, according to the report, accounting for about $23.6 million, but the report states that &ldquo;the primary structure is serviceable and capable of supporting a replacement tension membrane fabric roof.&rdquo; Based on the preliminary timeline in the report, it would take a little less than 13 months from the start of construction until &ldquo;final completion,&rdquo; with the repairs wrapping up just before a projected Opening Day in late March of 2026.</p></em><br /><br /><p>The cost of repairs has been stated at $55.7 million. The Rays will play their home games in Tampa at George M. Steinbrenner Field (the Yankees&rsquo; Spring Training home since 1996) while repair work continues. The vexing&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/itsrubensierra/status/1856543327815893501" target="_blank">financial fiasco</a> is further complicated as the franchise is <a href="https://archinect.com/news/article/150375239/tampa-bay-rays-partner-with-hines-for-new-mlb-stadium-development-in-st-petersburg" target="_blank">set to expand into new digs</a> anyway by the start of the 2028 baseball season. Winds in excess of 125 mph removed 18 of the stadium's 24 fiberglass roof panels during Hurricane Milton&nbsp;<a href="https://archinect.com/news/article/150450024/hurricane-milton-severely-damages-tampa-bay-rays-tropicana-field-stadium" target="_blank">back in October</a>.</p>