The Troy Recreation Center walking trail is getting an upgrade, as the city council bid out its expansion at last Tuesday’s council meeting.

The expansion will expand the trail from 1.1 miles to 2 miles with a planned future expansion to bring it to 3 miles.

“We’re excited about this project,” said Mayor Jason Reeves. “Dan and his team have worked hard. (The recreation center) is an outstanding venue that contributes to the quality of life here.”

Dan Smith, director of Troy Parks and Recreation, said the 3,500-foot expansion is expected to be complete around the end of September.

“The feedback we have received from our customers has been very, very positive,” Smith said. “The current paved walking trail of the Troy Sportsplex is 1.1 miles and is heavily used from sunrise to sunset, daily. With the completion of this new trail it will allow our customers to have three loops they can walk that all tie into each other. The first is the existing loop in the wooded area, the second will be a loop behind the Recreation Center and the third will be a loop that surrounds the open area adjacent to the Miracle League Playground at the Recreation Center. We know our customers are very excited about this expansion and we look forward to it opening soon.”

The construction of the new trail was granted to Wiregrass Construction, the lowest responsible bidder, for $126,792.50. Of that amount, the City of Troy will receive a grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs  and the Recreational Trails Program for $100,000, leaving the city’s match at just $26,792.50.

Smith said the construction will likely start some time in June or possibly July as all aprties have to sign and finish the paperwork before the project gets started.