ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A detailed assessment of hurricane damage at Tropicana Field concludes the home of the Tampa Bay Rays is structurally sound and can be repaired for about $55.7 million in time for the 2026 season.

The 412-page report released Tuesday by the city of St. Petersburg, which owns the building, reveals that the basic structure of the domed stadium “does not appear to have been affected” by the winds of Hurricane Milton, which shredded most of its tissue. roof.

“The primary structure is usable and capable of supporting a replacement tensioned membrane fabric roof,” the Hennessy Construction Services report states.

Eighteen of the stadium’s 24 fabric panels ruptured when Milton came roaring in on Oct. 9, according to the report. Interior parts of the Trop, as it is known for short, were also damaged by rainwater and other storm-related causes. The ballpark opened in 1990 and has been the home of the Rays since their inception in 1998.

Tropicana Field is already scheduled to be demolished when a new $1.3 billion ballpark is completed in time for the 2028 season. With the unforeseen costs to the city and Pinellas County from two hurricanes – large amounts of debris removed, damage to parks and infrastructure – two of the new stadium’s main financial sources could reconsider these plans or decide not to repair the Too at all.

The St. Petersburg City Council will discuss the report at its Nov. 21 meeting.

“We have so many needs throughout the city,” council member Brandi Gabbard said at a meeting last week. “I love the Rays. I love Tropicana Field. It’s not about not wanting to do this. It’s a balancing of priorities.

The board recently approved $6.5 million to clean the stadium and protect it from further damage, including waterproofing areas such as the press box, seats and scoreboard.

The city has an insurance claim for the damage and repairs, but it includes a $22 million deductible and would likely cover only part of the overall costs. This means that taxpayers’ money will have to be used.

The Rays did not immediately respond Tuesday to a request for comment. Since the ballpark of this damage and repair assessment wouldn’t be ready until the 2026 season, the Rays need to find another place to play next year.

Major League Baseball wants the Rays to stay in the area close to their fan base if possible, with several spring training sites in the Tampa Bay area being 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 the summer.

The planned new Rays baseball stadium 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 the construction of the baseball stadium and an interstate highway.