Argos preparing to get turfed

Facing the possibility of being evicted as Rogers Centre tenants should the Blue Jays install a grass field sometime following the 2012 season, the Toronto Argonauts say they are prepared to look for a new home.

Earlier this month at the Toronto Blue Jays state of the franchise event, team president and Rogers Centre CEO Paul Beeston revealed the team is exploring the possibility of replacing its current Astro Turf playing surface with real grass.

Beeston added that in order to sustain the grass, it would mean the stadium’s seats could not be reconfigured during the baseball season. In other words, a grass field would turn the Roges Centre into a baseball only facility from April through October, leaving the Toronto Argonauts in need of a new home.

"When Paul said that to his subscribers the other night I wasn’t surprised," newly appointed Argos president Chris Rudge told the Toronto Star. "I know how much the ballplayers hate it; they have real issues with it. So there could be a lot of challenges where we will play.

"We’re looking at potential alternatives," Rudge added without revealing specifics. "I’m certainly not panicking. I’m sure Rogers will give us ample time. No doubt Paul Beeston will be fair. We will find a way to work through this.

The Argonauts lease with the Rogers Centre expires after the 2012 season and this fall’s Grey Cup will be held there as well.

Rudge told the Star he and Beeston recently had breakfast together where the Blue Jays president discussed the possibility of the grass field.

"They want to make the experience better for their fans, the same way we do," he said. "They think grass would be part of that. So if grass becomes a reality, we will deal with it."