Hurricane Milton blew through St. Petersburg, FL in 2024 and did severe damage to the roof of Tropicana Field, home of Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays. The dome of the roof was destroyed and, as a result, the interior of the stadium also suffered considerable damage to the turf, the audiovisual system, and more. The team was unable to play at Tropicana Field for the 2025 season.
Serge Ferrari Group developed and manufactured innovative composite fabrics for the project of replacing the roof of the stadium while integrating the new materials with the existing structure of the facility. Projects like this retrofit are challenging as the new membrane must integrate seamlessly to meet all safety and resiliency requirements. Geiger Engineers served as the architectural engineering lead. Tenseo is provided the 24 roof panels needed, made of fiberglass yarns, and coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The rolls of membrane were fabricated at Serge Ferrari Group then shipped to Enclos Tensile Structures for assembly. The new roof will allow the stadium to provide protection from stringent wind and severe weather and meet safety requirements with a life expectancy of more than 20 years.
“Collaborating with the City of St. Petersburg, the Rays organization, and our partners to deliver this kind of resilient roof system has been a standout moment for Serge Ferrari Group,” said David Peragallo, Associate AIA, Senior Specification Manager, North America, Serge Ferrari Group. “When it matters most, the stadium roof is the first line of defense, and we’re honored to help ensure it’s more than up to the challenge.” The project is on track to be completed in time for the 2026 baseball season.