By Matthew Phillips

The Lake Lagoona project at Troy University is nearing completion and is expected to be finished by the end of September. 

The four-acre development will introduce new amenities to the Janice Hawkins Cultural Arts Park. Construction began in the summer of 2024 and has experienced only minor delays. Matt Clower, Senior Director of Communications at Troy University, said, “The work has mostly gone as planned, with only a few delays due to inclement weather.”

The project, once finished, will feature two waterfalls, a pedestrian bridge and pathways that wind around the lagoon and its surroundings. Various plants, including cherry trees, Japanese maples and weeping willows, will also provide year-round color and beauty.

From the beginning, the primary goals have been environmental restoration and sustainability.

“University officials have collaborated with engineers, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to ensure the project benefits the local ecosystem,” Clower explained. “This has involved removing invasive species and dredging sediment to improve conditions for native plants and wildlife.”

Funded by the university’s capital enhancements budget, Clower mentioned the $8 million project remains within its set budget. 

Designed by Goodwyn, Mills, and Cawood and built by Site Pros LLC, the lagoon will soon offer a serene space for students and visitors alike.