The Tampa Bay Rays may open the 2026 season at Tropicana Field if St. Petersburg city officials commit over $55 million to repair the stadium damaged by a recent storm.

A 412-page report obtained by the Catalyst outlines $55.275 million in necessary repairs. These estimates do not include all expenses or the $6.5 million that city council members recently approved to prevent further deterioration of the stadium after Hurricane Milton damaged its roof.

St. Petersburg-based Hennessy Construction, along with several subcontractors, completed the estimates as part of a “Facility Damage Assessment and Remediation Report.” According to the report, the damage caused on October 9 could have been worse.

“Overall, the stadium appears structurally sound and would be a viable candidate to continue serving the city (should they so decide) after hurricane damage repairs,” states the report. “Building mechanical systems are minimally affected (HVAC, fire protection, plumbing) and generally require modification only in connection with repairs.”

However, Hennessy emphasized that all inspections were visual. The company advised that “more specific component testing will be required during any refurbishment and commissioning of the facility.”

In an email accompanying the report, Samantha Bequer, the city’s public information officer, noted that the assessment lacks cost estimates for “replacing the acoustical roof membrane, which was part of the original stadium’s design to enhance sound quality during events.”

READ: St. Pete *Reduced* Tropicana Field Insurance Coverage in March

Bequer stated that city administrators have requested the additional cost estimate and will incorporate it into an amendment. The city council must ultimately approve any contracts.

Replacing the roof would take over nine months, and Hennessy recommended a “robust system of temporary building temperature control and continued installation of temporary protection.” On October 31, council members voted 6-2 to begin waterproofing the stadium and remediating water damage.

The decision to commit over $55 million to the 34-year-old stadium will determine whether two more years of Rays baseball will be played in St. Petersburg. Hennessy estimated a 15-month project timeline, aiming for completion around February 2026.

Barring any post-storm changes, the Rays are expected to move into a new ballpark at the site by April 2028. However, Pinellas County Commissioners are concerned about where the team will play in the interim and the new hurricane-related costs.

The commission will welcome two new members before voting on the agreement’s bond issuance on November 19. The city council must approve a bond issuance for its share of a new stadium on November 21.

St. Petersburg owns the Trop and is responsible for repairs. After paying a $22.5 million deductible, the city could receive up to $22 million from insurance.

The report lists roughly $39.1 million in repairs and $16.6 million in additional costs and fees. Hennessy also highlighted $4.9 million worth of stadium “content damage.”

The work includes installing a new roof, advertisement and acoustic panels, and sound and lighting systems in the dome’s catwalks. The Trop also needs a new playing field and video screens.

“Finishes in general remain intact throughout the club, site, concession, and service levels,” states the report. “Wind and water damage affect the administrative areas that house the baseball team. Audio and visual systems are affected throughout the facility. These systems will need to be powered on and fully tested.”

Administrator Rob Gerdes said on October 31 that officials would stop the remediation work if a structural report showed the stadium is a total loss. The city has cleared that bar.

“The exterior of the facility was mostly intact, with the main damage observed in the fabric roof and portions of the exterior metal panel system,” wrote Hennessy. “The main electrical system appears intact, with portions of the roof catwalk system and field level in question.”

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X

(Image credit: AP Photo/Julio Cortez)