Niagara Falls could be getting some upgrades to its baseball facilities, at half the cost.

As part of the 2021 Canada Summer Games, which will be hosted in Niagara, the Games plan to build a number of “legacy projects” throughout the region, says a report going before Niagara Falls council tonight.

One of those proposed projects includes a superior baseball training and competition complex in Niagara Falls at W.L. Houck Park and Oakes Park.

The project would include the construction of an artificial turf baseball diamond at W. L. Houck Park, adjacent to Oakes Park.

That diamond would act as a warm-up diamond for athletes during the Canada Summer Games, which Oakes park will host for about a week.

“Upon the conclusion of the games, both parks will become a high level baseball training and competition facility. The parks will be outfitted with improved batting cages and a diamond that can be permitted for eight months instead of four months for games,” says the report.

The cost to construct the diamond and related facilities is estimated at around $2 million.

The report, recommended by Kathy Moldenhauer, director of recreation and culture for the city, said registration for baseball in Niagara Falls is increasing every year.

“The GNBA registration numbers have increased from 597 participants in 2015, to 800 participants in 2017. The local youth baseball organizations have requested additional senior diamonds and enhanced training facilities over the last few years.”

The proposed project would provide the requested facilities at a 50 per cent cost to the city, the other half being covered by the Canada Summer Games.