SF. PETERSBURG — Tropicana Field can be repaired in time for the Rays’ 2026 season for about $55.7 million, according to a 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 much for two seasons of use, given that plans to build and open a new stadium in 2028and how much of the $55 million will be covered by insurance.

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

As part of the summary, the report states: “Overall, the stadium appears structurally sound and would be a viable candidate to continue serving the city (should it decide to do so) in providing ongoing service following damage repairs caused by the hurricane”.

Some of the assessments, such as those of the electrical system, were made 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.

City Development Administrator James Corbett also wrote in a cover letter that the assessment “does not include cost estimates for replacing the acoustic roof membrane, which was part of the original stadium 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 in coverage — reduced in March from $100 million so the city could save $275,000 in premium payments.

Saint Petersburg City Council voted Oct. 31 to spend nearly $6.5 million to contract with firms to remove roof debris and damaged turf and to protect against other damage, including waterproofing areas such as seating areas, press box and scoreboard.

The Oct. 9 hurricane ripped apart the stadium’s roof, which was made of 6 acres of translucent fiberglass coated with Teflon, supported by cables connected by bars 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 because 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 multipurpose facility until the Rays became the anchor tenants in 1998.

As they tackle myriad storm-related issues, the Rays they are also looking for at least temporary housing. The team’s employees recently moved into leased 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 to be in the Tampa Bay area, which would most likely be one of the spring training/minor league ballparks, with Clearwater’s BayCare Ballpark (used by the Phillies and Class A Threshers ) and Tampa’s. Steinbrenner Field (Yankees and Tarpons) most likely.

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

This story will be updated.

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