Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation Announces $10 Million Gift for Fieldhouse at Future Deck Plaza

The indoor multi-sport venue will give El Paso a home court advantage for youth athletics, tournaments, community events, and year-round recreation in Downtown El Paso.

EL PASO, TEXAS – The Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation announced a $10 million gift to the Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation for the Fieldhouse. The indoor multi-sport venue will be one of the signature attractions planned for the recently named Fred Loya Family Deck Plaza, the future park over I-10 in the downtown area. In recognition of the gift, the new venue will be named the Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Fieldhouse. The gift marks another major milestone as community leaders come together to advance the once-in-a-generation opportunity to Elevate the 10.

With an estimated capacity of 6-8 interchangeable courts, the fieldhouse will be home to local and regional basketball, volleyball, soccer, and pickleball tournaments and recreational sports leagues. As a multipurpose facility, the fieldhouse will also provide space for special events and other activities year-round in Downtown El Paso. The facility will be the first of its kind across the entire region.

“The most meaningful investments in a community are the ones that bring people together and create opportunities that extend far beyond a single project,” said Josh Hunt, Vice Chairman of Hunt Companies, Inc. and President of the Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation.

“The Fred Loya Family Deck Plaza is a powerful example of what can happen when the public and private sectors work together with a shared vision for El Paso. Through our $10 million investment in the Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Fieldhouse, we hope to create a first-of-its kind space for young athletes to play and compete, host tournaments, strengthen downtown, and generate economic activity that benefits the entire Borderplex region. It’s an investment in quality of life, and most importantly in the people who call El Paso home.”

The Hunt family’s roots in El Paso run deep. Hunt Companies, Inc., a family-owned holding company, began in 1947 as a retail lumber store in the city’s Lower Valley. Since establishing the Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation in 1987, the family has committed more than $186 million to more than 3,000 organizations and initiatives. That support spans education, health care, economic development and quality of life, including a transformational gift to UTEP that established the Woody L. Hunt School of Business, significant support for Texas Tech Health El Paso, including

its schools of Nursing and Dental Medicine; and hundreds of scholarships for El Paso-area students.

“We are deeply grateful for the Hunt family’s generosity and longstanding commitment to our Borderplex region,” said Tracy Yellen, President of the Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation and CEO of the Paso del Norte Community Foundation. “Their game-changing gift will add a whole new dimension to the Deck Plaza, giving families more ways to come together, young athletes a place to pursue their passions, and a destination for our community and visitors to experience downtown El Paso.”

The Deck Plaza is expected to generate nearly $1 billion in economic activity over 30 years and welcome up to 1.5 million visitors annually. Beyond its economic impact, the park’s green space will also help cool the surrounding area by up to 8 degrees and reduce airborne pollutants by up to 30 percent, creating a healthier downtown for everyone.

“El Paso’s future is about creating opportunities, growing our economy, and improving the quality of life for our residents,” said Mayor Renard Johnson. “The reconstruction of I-10 gives us a unique opportunity to bring neighborhoods back together and create a beautiful public space for families to enjoy for generations. Thanks to the Hunt family’s generosity, we are one step closer to making that vision a reality.”

The Deck Plaza is supported by a broad public-private partnership that includes the City of El Paso, El Paso County, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization, state and federal leaders, philanthropic partners and community advocates. TxDOT is scheduled to begin reconstruction of I-10 through Downtown in fiscal year 2028, and partners are advancing the project one phase at a time, working to secure as much federal, state and private funding as possible while minimizing the reliance on local taxpayers.

Based on the Feasibility Study, the estimated cost of the park is $207 million (in 2027 dollars) for design and construction. An additional $32 million is required by TxDOT for retaining walls to hold deck structure. To date, approximately $74.15 million has been committed to design, construction, and park amenities. That funding includes:

• $10 million from the Texas Legislature for design of the tunnel, including $584,000 in City TIRZ #5 matching funds

• $25 million from the El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization for construction

• $3.15 million in Federal Community Project Funding for construction

• $1 million from El Paso County for construction

• $35 million in philanthropic commitments for park amenities

The Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation has committed to raising $35 million in private philanthropy, with gifts from CASA Auto Group, the Fred Loya Family and the Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation leading the way. The Foundation will also be responsible for the park’s long-term operations and maintenance.

With the gift from the Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation, El Paso is another step closer to Elevating the 10 and creating a new destination in the heart of our city. Learn more and get involved at DowntownDeckPlaza.org.