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A 1950s-era stadium in east Portland is due to receive $650,000 in upgrades in preparation for hosting collegiate-level baseball games.

Portland Parks & Recreation, the Portland Development Commission and Rose City Baseball LLC are investing in improvements to the city-owned Walker Stadium in Lents Park, at Southeast 92nd Avenue and Holgate Street.

The stadium is slated to become the home field of a starting in summer 2016. The yet-to-be-named team will be part of the for top college players seeking professional careers.

The renovation will bring much needed repairs to deteriorating Walker Stadium, built in 1956, Portland Parks & Recreation spokesman Mark Ross said. The stadium’s dugouts, press box and seating behind home plate have been deemed unsafe and will be replaced, he said.

鈥淚t wouldn’t happen without this public-private partnership,鈥� he said.

Other planned upgrades include installation of chair seating and a new grass playing surface, said Ken Wilson, president and CEO of Rose City Baseball. Also, crews will add four group event spaces, as well as a new scoreboard, team offices, concession services, a major league backstop and a playground.

The refurbished stadium will have a capacity of 1,500 people. When it’s not being used for Rose City Baseball games, it will be available for children’s and community recreation league games, Ross said.

Construction is scheduled to start in July and wrap up by June 2016.