The smell of mold and waste water is now greeting the roof of the dome stadium almost six months after the hurricane Milton
The officers of St. Petersburg, who led a media tour through a baseball stadium on Wednesday afternoon, insist that the smells are simply a by-product of water impression and hundreds of toilets that are not overloaded. However, they do not deny that the exposed system has suffered additional damage since October 2024.
The tour – without the Tampa Bay Rays – came to the construction of a new stadium two days by agreements, which was officially terminated, and one day before the city council will be a roof replacement of US $ 22.5 million. This work will take place during the 2026 hurricane season.
“We learn a little more with every rain,” said Beth Herenden, Special Projects Manager. “Water gets in and we continue to monitor it. The clubhouse has some water that actually came in the fact.”
According to the city, these tarpaulins have just been replaced. All tarping are monitored regularly.
In November 2024, Hennessy Construction in St. Petersburg estimated the internal repairs at around $ 33 million. Most of the city councilors who will decide on their future have not yet visited the storm stadium lately.
The city has already allocated over 9.9 million US dollars – not included in repair estimates – for a roofless trop without carrying out restorative repairs. Herenden found that a renovation contractor is in the stadium daily and the officials updated before and after the rainy weather, which will soon increase.
She said that pumps and drains help to move water from low spots like substances. Tarps, some better attached than others, add a modical protection against the elements. The air conditioning system cools down the lower levels.
The city has removed some drywall, carpet and a “considerable amount” ceiling tiles. Herenden said that concession areas that are now disordered are operated.
The administrators present several different repair packages – indoor and outdoor metal cladding, audio and video systems, sports lighting and general construction, including a new play area – the city council until the roof work is approved.
“There could be something every day, but all main elements were identified,” said Herenden. “I would say 90% to 95% of the onions were peeled.”
Sandbags try to prevent water from reaching the interior of the stadium.
Contractors and consultants give administrators a “head -up” if they encounter a problem that would drastically increase the previous costs for the total costs of 55 million US dollars. Herenden said that they were “to be nothing to this day, which caused us to assume that this will be considerably higher.”
She also emphasized that despite the smell there is “no mold problem”. Environmental companies have repeatedly tested the stadium, and Herenden said that this will continue for an indefinite period. “And again the building is not occupied every day.”
Dearing is also not deliberately from wastewater overflows, apart from an incident in 1995 during an ice skating. She accused this smell on “wastewater gas” of toilets that should regularly be rinsed by thousands of people.
“This is a complicated project,” said Raul Quintana, City Architect. “Every project in this scale and this kind will be complicated.”
Quintana provided a technical preview of his presentation in front of the city council. He said administrators had confirmed that a joint venture between Hennessy and Aecom Hunt, which specializes in stadium repairs, can replace the roof, meet current building regulations and to appease the Major League baseball.
Quintana said the rays and the league were particularly concerned about the acoustics and lighting of the fabric roof. Both parties have recognized that the selected material of the city “acceptable” and “go to work”.
Beth Herenden (left), special project manager, and Raul Quintana, City Architect.
The train (a ability to withstand the breaking of the pulling forces) is the same material that was previously used to cover the trop. While it has no acoustic liner, Herenden said that Advanced Audio Systems negated the use of the liner.
“There is still a good piece of engineering that will take place in Germany off the coast and as soon as that is done, they will send it to China,” said Quintana. “You will put it together in China. We expect it to be tariffs.”
Quintana said the contract of 22.5 million US dollars comprises “several eventual connections”. Administrators also ensured that the companies had the “right insurance”.
The city plans to complete the roof by December before starting all other repairs. Quintana said the schedule had an “opportunity to do this in good time” for the Rays' Home Open in March 2026.
He noticed that the roof material is significantly stronger and thicker than the previous iteration and was designed according to the current wind ratings. “You can't predict what could happen,” added Quintana. “But we will introduce it to be successful.”
“It could possibly be a permanent roof. I see no reason why it couldn't.”
City administrators believe that the total repair costs have not increased significantly in the past six months.