ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — The Rays demand Tropicana Field be repaired and ready for opening day of the 2026 season. In response, leaders with the City of St. Petersburg say their agreement doesn’t include a “deadline” for the repairs.

The shredded roof and hurricane damage inside Tropicana Field could keep the Rays out of the ballpark for longer than expected. During a previous city council meeting, the team’s co-president Brian Auld told members, “I believe it’s going to be next to impossible for it to be repaired in time for the 2026 season.”

In a letter sent to Rays leadership on January 15, city administrator Robert Gerdes says there’s no deadline for the completion of repairs at the field. He adds: “As a result, it is possible the term of the Use Agreement could extend beyond the 2028 season.”

City leaders say repairs to the Trop are estimated to cost $56 million. Some fans wonder if the work is worth the money.

One St. Pete resident says, “I think it’s a lot of money for just a short period of time, just a few years, that’s a lot of money to spend.”

The new back-and-forth over repairs come as plans for the new $1.3 billion ballpark remain in limbo. Previously, Mayor Ken Welch said the deal is too important to fall through.

“This has been 40 years in the making, this kind of economic opportunity doesn’t come around very often,” Welch said.