STREET. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A detailed assessment of hurricane damage at Tropicana Field concludes that 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 by the city of St. Petersburg, which owns the building, found that the basic structure of the domed stadium “does not appear to have been adversely affected” by Hurricane Milton’s winds, which ripped away most of its fabric roof. . .

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

Eighteen of the stadium’s 24 fabric panels failed when Milton made landfall on Oct. 9, according to the report. There was also damage to interior parts of the Trop, as it is known for short, due to rainwater and other storm-related causes. The stadium opened in 1990 and has been the home of the Rays since its inception in 1998.

Tropicana Field is already scheduled to be demolished when a new $1.3 billion baseball stadium is completed in time for the 2028 season. With unforeseen costs for the city and Pinellas County due to two hurricanes (large amounts of debris removal , damage to parks and infrastructure), two of the main financial sources for the new stadium could reconsider those plans or decide not to repair the Trop at all.

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

“We have a lot of need throughout the city,” Councilwoman Brandi Gabbard said at a meeting last week. “I love the Rays. I love the Tropicana course. It’s not about not wanting to do this. “It’s about a balance of priorities.”

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

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

The Rays did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Since the stadium under this damage and repair assessment would not be ready until the 2026 season, the Rays must 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, and several spring training sites are suggested in the Tampa Bay area. These include ballparks in Clearwater (Phillies), Tampa (Yankees), Dunedin (Blues), 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 new baseball stadium planned for the Rays 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 Gas Plant Historic District, which was once a thriving black community displaced by the construction of the baseball stadium and an interstate highway.