Recently, the SkyDome has been under heavy scrutiny from the media. For example, the stadium has been referred to as obsolete, and an eyesore with no practical value[1]. When analyzing the SkyDome’s usefulness, numerous media outlets have argued that it has become useless, as it cannot attract any large-scale events. The stadium is primarily used for baseball, Canadian football, large-scale concerts and events (for example, monster-truck shows). Reporters and analysts are arguing that the SkyDome is hindering Toronto’s opportunities to host the Summer Olympic Games, or become the home to a National Football League team (the current Mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford, is advocating for a NFL franchise). This argument is based upon the size and seating capacity of the SkyDome. The media is arguing that based on the current sizes and capacities of National Football League stadiums, the SkyDome would be too small to support an NFL franchise[2]. When analyzing the seating capacity of the SkyDome myself, it became evident that the SkyDome is truthfully smaller than most NFL stadiums. Furthermore, the smaller NFL stadiums are slowly being torn down and being replaced with large-scale stadiums with large seating capacities[3]. Moreover, reports also state that the SkyDome is one of the worst baseball stadiums in the MLB, as its architecture is outdated, and not the best environment to watch a game[4]. Similarly, it is also argued that the enclosure of the dome takes away from the natural essence of baseball (the idea the baseball should be played outdoors)[5].

            Although there are numerous negative perspectives in the media pertaining to the SkyDome, through the use of primary and secondary sources, this blog will demonstrate how the SkyDome is a viable stadium for the City of Toronto, as it fulfills all of the purposes outlined in Paul Godfrey’s proposal. Godfrey’s proposal identifies the main purposes and uses of the SkyDome. It also explains the reasoning behind the ideal infrastructure used for the stadium. Thus, the SkyDome is an important piece of infrastructure, as its sole purposes are to be a multi-complex stadium, and serve as the home the Toronto Argonauts (CFL), the Toronto Blue Jays (MLB), and as a venue for large scale events (concerts, shows ceremonies).

 

[1] “The Rogers Centre is one of the ugliest stadiums in baseball,” Toronto Life, Apr. 10, 2012.

[2] Conroy, Ed, “That time when the SkyDome landed in Toronto,” blogTO, May. 10, 2103.

[3] Conroy, Ed, “That time when the SkyDome landed in Toronto,” blogTO, May. 10, 2103.

[4] Caple, Jim, “SkyDome is just another stadium,” ESPN News, June. 2, 2003.

[5] Hughson, Callum, “SkyDome/Rogers Centre Review,” Mop-Up Duty, Sept. 7, 2010.