Troy Story

City takes SI Sportstown honor for Michigan

By Andrew Schulman

In automobile terms, you might say the City of Troy, Mich., Parks and Recreation Department has the speed and agility of a sports car, coupled with the roominess of a family sedan. And for Troy -- which is located less than 25 miles from America’s automotive hub of Detroit -- and its residents, this combination has proven to be as successful Henry Ford’s assembly line. So successful, in fact, that Troy has recently been named the Sports Illustrated Sportstown for the state of Michigan.

Like a world-class sports car, the department’s hallmark is its ability to adjust on the fly, responding to the needs and wants of its citizens. From upgrading local facilities to adding new sports to its schedule, Troy seems to have mastered the art of customer satisfaction. And after listening to the department’s director, Carol Anderson, it’s easy to see why.

“The people in Troy care about sports," she said,"and, luckily, we have a dedicated staff and tremendous relationships with the local schools and sports organizations that allow us to great things. We realize we’re not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ town and our staff here is constantly saying, ‘What can we do next?’ to make this community better and meet the varied needs of our residents.”

Those residents are indeed lucky to be living in a place that offers so many sports and recreation options –- like the aforementioned comfy sedan, there really is room for everyone –- starting with the very young and going all the way to the city’s seniors.

From “parent-tot” programs to a host “kiddie sports,” the children of Troy (and their parents) have a chance to be active from a young age. As they grow, there are opportunities to play soccer, basketball, baseball/softball, lacrosse, golf and even cricket, among other things. For adults and seniors, there are separate leagues for all of the major sports in addition to bowling, tennis, volleyball and a Senior Olympics. Troy also offers a full adaptive sports program –- including basketball, softball, bowling and wheelchair sports –- for its disabled residents.

Many of the indoor sports listed above take place at the Troy Community Center, the recently renovated crown jewel of the city’s facilities. Opened in two phases between March 2002 and February 2003, the $26.5 million, 127,000-square-foot building houses a fitness room, aerobics studios, lockers, an indoor aquatic center and a gymnasium, and re-affirms the City’s dedication to its residents.

“The people wanted this community center, and that’s why we have it,” said Anderson. “With facilities like this, we are even better equipped to respond to the changing needs of our community and continue in our mission of enhancing life for all the residents of Troy.”

The employees at the Troy Parks and Recreation have a saying about the effect of sports on the community: “The benefits are endless.” And -– thanks to the city’s parks and recreation department –- so are the sports and recreation opportunities available to local residents.