Repairs to Tampa Bay Rays' Tropicana Field from Hurricane Milton put at $55.7 million

Nov. 12 (UPI) -- It will cost $55.7 million to repair Tropicana Field, home to the MLB Tampa Bay Rays, in time for the 2026 home opener, St. Petersburg, Fla., city officials said Tuesday.

A damage assessment report issued to the St. Petersburg City Council said it would cost $39 million to repair most, but not all damage, caused by Hurricane Milton and another $16 million for related costs to open Tropicana Field in time for the 2026 Major League Baseball season.

The related costs include design, permitting, inspection, staffing, insurance and construction costs.

Replacing the roof on Tropicana Field is the costliest item at an estimated $23.6 million.

Insurance likely will offset some or possibly most of the repair costs, but potential deductibles and other factors are yet to be determined, the report said.

Hennessy Construction Services compiled the Tropicana Field repairs-cost assessment and said the "primary structure is serviceable and capable of supporting a replacement tension membrane fabric roof."

The report indicates three-fourths of the roof's fabric panels are missing and details storm and water damage to Tropicana Field.

The St. Petersburg City Council recently authorized spending $6.5 million to install waterproofing for the scoreboard, seats and press box and clean up debris from damage caused when Hurricane Milton made landfall on Oct. 9.

Major League Baseball officials have asked the Tampa Bay Rays to play at a facility near the Tampa-St. Petersburg area until Tropicana Field can be reopened. Several potential sites are under consideration for the 2025 season.

The Rays also are scheduled to move to a new stadium in 2028 that is part of a $6.5 billion Historic Gas Plant District revitalization project that would include affordable housing, a Black history museum, restaurants and bars. That opening could be delayed because of complications related to repairs of the current stadium.

The damage assessment suggests it might be possible for the Rays to play three more seasons at Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch told the Tampa Bay Times.

He said the estimated repairs are "on the lower-cost side" and the city is obligated to provide the Rays with a suitable playing field.