The Windsor Stars soccer team has a new pitch at McHugh Park this year.

The team wants now wants the city spend more money on the pitch, so they can have seating and a scoreboard. The Stars' proposal is to turn one of the four fields at the McHugh complex into such a stadium.

The club needs about $200,000 and they want the city's help.

Ward 3 Coun. Fulvio Valentinis said it could be a good investment to build Windsor's sports tourism.

"When you look at the number of people that are enrolled, that are actively participating, and the interest factor ... I think it would serve us well to really, really look at creating a field for players and it will be good for the players and spectators and good for visitors," Valentinis said.

Filip Rocca, president of the Stars, said Windsor needs this to add to its sports tourism roster.

"Over the past year, we've seen the basketball team receive a new floor. We've seen the pool, which costs I don't even know how many millions of dollars. Really what does soccer have in this city?" Rocca said. "It hasn't got much so that's something that we're pushing for."

There are 8,000 people registered to play soccer in the city.

Team director Vancho Cirovski said that for $1 million, spread out over three years, the city could have an elite soccer facility.

Cirovski said it would contribute to a broader interest in sports and sports-tourism.

"The problem is that we are not drawing enough people because it isn't an environment that people can attend [and] get inspired by the action," he said.

Jan Wilson, the city's executive director of recreation and culture, said there are no funds available in the city's capital budget.

"We've already made a substantial investment in the park," she said.

The city, in partnership with the Essex County Soccer Association and with a grant from the province, improved the park.

"We have made a very significant investment to create a beautiful soccer complex for the community," Wilson said.

Wilson said she would listen to the club if it did raise funds and brought a proposal to staff and council.

"We'd certainly be willing to listen," she said.

The Windsor Stars will bring a report to council in March.