STREET. PETERSBURG – Tropicana Field can be repaired in time for the Rays’ 2026 season for about $55.7 million, according to the damage assessment report sent to St. Petersburg City Council members Tuesday.

The report, which does not include all items that need to be repaired, estimates that Hurricane Milton caused $39 million in damage and $16 million in additional costs.

The most expensive item to replace will be the roof, which accounts for about $23.6 million of the bill.

The big question is whether the city will want to spend that amount for two seasons of use, given plans to build and inaugurate a new stadium in 2028and How much of the $55 million will insurance cover?.

The estimates are part of a 412-page “Facilities Damage Assessment and Repair Recommendation Report” prepared for the city by Hennessy Construction Services.

As part of the summary, the report says: “Overall, the stadium appears structurally sound and would be a viable candidate to continue serving the City (if it so chooses) by providing continued service following repairs to damage caused by the hurricane.”

Some of the evaluations, such as the electrical system, were conducted through a visual inspection and will require component testing for a final determination of damage and repair costs for the stadium that opened in 1990.

Additionally, city development administrator James Corbett wrote in a cover letter that the assessment “does not include the estimated cost to replace the acoustic roof membrane, which was part of the stadium’s original design to improve sound quality.” during events”, and will be added later. .

The city owns and is responsible for repairs to the stadium, and has already filed an insurance claim. The city’s policy includes a $22 million deductible and $25 million of coverage, reduced in March from $100 million so the city could save $275,000 in premium payments.

St. Petersburg City Hall voted Oct. 31 to spend about $6.5 million hire companies to remove roof debris and damaged turf, and to protect against further damage, including waterproofing areas such as seating areas, the press box and scoreboard.

The October 9 Hurricane destroyed the roof of the stadiumwhich was made of 6 acres of translucent Teflon-coated fiberglass, supported by cables connected by struts and built to withstand winds of up to 115 mph, according to the team. The storm also exposed parts of the stadium to heavy rain, which was a problem since the stadium was built as an indoor facility with no drainage system.

The stadium was built in the late 1980s and opened in 1990, serving as an indoor multi-use facility until the Rays became the anchor tenants in 1998.

As they address countless storm-related issues, the Rays We are also looking for at least a temporary home.. Team employees recently moved into rented space in an office building near the Trop, and officials are working with Major League Baseball to secure a place to play.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said he would prefer the interim home be in the Tampa Bay area, which would most likely be one of the spring training/minor league stadiums, with Clearwater’s BayCare Ballpark (used by the Phillies and the Class A Threshers) and Tampa Stadium. Steinbrenner Field (Yankees and Tarpons) is the most likely.

There is pressure from Pinellas County politicians, who have yet to approve bonds for the planned new stadium, for the team to stay in the county and reach a deal with the Phillies.

This story will be updated.

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