Christopher Torres, an ironworker with Ironworkers Local 48, posted videos from nearly 250 feet above Tropicana Field while helping rebuild its roof for the tampa bay rays, confirmed by Christopher Torres. Torres said the videos showed a bird’s-eye view of the stadium and the surrounding city and that local fans sent messages and offers of drinks and kayaking, confirmed by Christopher Torres.
Tropicana Field Repair Timeline
Hurricane Milton shredded the roof of Tropicana Field in 2024, confirmed by the project timeline. After Hurricane Milton in 2024, a specialized crew from across the country began rebuilding the roof, confirmed by Christopher Torres; Torres traveled from Oklahoma City and spent months working nearly 250 feet above the field, confirmed by Christopher Torres. Torres described the scale and technique of the repair: "It’s a tarp. I’ve never done anything that big," confirmed by Christopher Torres, and said the crew used gloves and ratchet straps to pull, stretch, and secure the new fabric, confirmed by Christopher Torres.
Ironworkers Local 48 Crew
Ironworkers Local 48 deployed crews including Christopher Torres, who confirmed he spent months on the job nearly 250 feet above the field. Torres said, "I showed up and I was like, ‘What the hell are we doing here?’" confirmed by Christopher Torres, and added, "Once you’re up that high, you just focus on what you’re doing," confirmed by Christopher Torres. Torres described the vantage point captured in his Instagram videos: "The ground kind of blurs out," confirmed by Christopher Torres, and said, "We get a point of view that a lot of people don’t get to see," confirmed by Christopher Torres.
City of St. Petersburg Response
A source from the city of St. Petersburg said a water pipe broke in the Tropicana Field parking lot and washed dirt away, creating a small depression, confirmed by a source from the city of St. Petersburg. The source from the city of St. Petersburg confirmed the pipe has been fixed and that city crews planned to complete the parking lot repair next week when the baseball schedule is less busy, confirmed by a source from the city of St. Petersburg. That same source confirmed that the Trop was set to reopen Monday for the Tampa Bay Rays’ home opener, confirmed by a source from the city of St. Petersburg.
Christopher Torres confirmed he declined offers of cash from fans, saying, "We make a good living," and adding, "But we’re proud of our work and we love doing it," confirmed by Christopher Torres. The next confirmed event is the Trop reopening Monday for the Tampa Bay Rays’ home opener, confirmed by a source from the city of St. Petersburg.
