Rogers Centre to be renamed SkyDome

When Toronto fans root, root, root for the Blue Jays at next Friday's home opener, we'll be able to do so at a newly re-named stadium.

That's because on April 8, Rogers Communications will finally give our local landmark its original name back. Yes, from now on you can correctly refer to the giant white structure as the SkyDome - well the Rogers SkyDome, to be more specific.

"With our new naming strategy, we hope to ramp up excitement for what we hope is another historic season for the Toronto Blue Jays," says Rogers Communications spokesperson Avril Tromper.

For a nice dose of nostalgia, former SkyDome mascot Domer will throw out the first pitch at next week's game against the Red Sox.

In 2005, Rogers Communications Inc. - who also owns the Blue Jays - bought the SkyDome and promptly renamed it, much to the city's chagrin. It originally earned its moniker via a country-wide naming competition, and there have been numerous petitions in recent years to revert to the original name.

When it opened back in 1989, SkyDome was the first stadium in the world to have a fully retractable roof. Along with getting its name back, the Dome will also debut a new dirt infield this season. There's still no word on whether we'll be getting a Joe Carter statue though.

UPDATE: We share the sentiments of many who shared this post on Twitter and Facebook. Sadly, April Fools. Oh, and we're still waiting for that baby food bar for adults to open.

What do you think of the name change? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by Jamaal in the blogTO Flickr pool.