UTEP raises record $70 million; city of El Paso adopts new plan to improve parks

This is your weekly news roundup, which takes a quick look at some developments in government, politics, education, environment and other topics across El Paso. Record Number of Donors Gave UTEP Historic $70 Million in Fiscal Year 2026 The University of Texas at El Paso reported a record $70 million in philanthropic support during the 2025-26 fiscal year that ended Aug. 31. UTEP officials said the money would be used to support initiatives that benefit students, faculty and aspects of campus life. The university’s previous record was $50.5 million in fiscal year 2024. The institution also reported that the 6,703 donors were the most in school history. UTEP recorded 6,428 donors in fiscal year 2024-25. Among the major donations during 2026 fiscal year were the record $30 million from UTEP alumnus Miguel A. “Mike” Loya in February for engineering scholarships, $5 million from Tawney, Acosta and Chaparro, and $5 million from the Paul L. Foster Family Foundation in a matching gift for the planned UTEP law school, and $1.5 million from University Medical Center and $1.1 million from the Hospitals of Providence and Tenet Healthcare Foundation to enhance healthcare education. There also were donations to the Athletics Department of $2.5 million from Paul L. Foster and Alejandra de la Vega Foster, and $1 million each from Frank and Shirley Sloan and Bob McFadden. The university said in a news release that the money raised would go toward athletics, student scholarships, campus enhancements, faculty recruitment and retention, academic and research initiatives and other strategic priorities. UTEP President Heather Wilson said the historic level of philanthropy reflected the confidence of supporters to the university’s mission. “Their generosity is an investment in our students and our academic excellence,” Wilson said in the release. “We couldn’t do nearly as much without them.” City Adopts New Parks Master Plan With Focus on Existing Facilities The City Council on Monday adopted its new 10-year Parks and Recreation Master Plan that aims to improve existing parks and facilities, rather than create new ones. The plan works as a guide for the city to make improvements to existing parks and facilities through the next 10 years. The city owns and operates 291 parks, 30 miles of trails, 23 recreation and sports centers, 10 senior centers and 15 aquatic facilities. Some potential improvements include adding lighting, shade and playground amenities while facility repairs, renovations and reconstruction are planned. RELATED: El Paso pays millions more for city pools despite rising revenue Facilities that were recommended for replacement or reconstruction included the Grandview Pool, Nations Tobin Pool, Leona Ford Washington Recreation Center and the South El Paso Senior Center. Facilities that need heavy renovation and expansion included the Armijo Aquatic Center, Don Haskins Recreation Center, Delta Aquatic Center, Hawkins Aquatic Center, Officer David Ortiz Recreation Center, Nations Tobin Sports Center and the Marty Robbins Aquatic Center. The plan, conducted by Halff Associates, only identified costs of about $15.3 million for repairs and improvements – not including expansions, major renovations or replacements or any new facilities. It did not estimate costs for those big-ticket items. The plan also doesn’t give specific funding sources, but suggested options such as using the city’s general fund, bonds, community partnerships, sponsorships, grants or user fees. The city hired the Richardson, Texas-based firm for $580,000 in August 2025 to develop the new master plan. The firm also conducted the 2014 study that led to the 2015 master plan under which the city developed the water parks, spray parks and two Olympic-sized competitive swimming pools or natatoriums. Those projects were largely funded through the voter-approved 2012 quality of life bond and certificates of obligation – a form of debt that doesn’t require voter approval. Texas Tech Regents Agree to $12 Million Budget to Expand El Paso Dental Clinic The Texas Tech University Board of Regents approved Wednesday a budget of $12.2 million for the expansion of the Dental Oral Health Clinic at the Texas Tech Health El Paso during the board’s quarterly meeting in Lubbock. The agreement calls for local institutional funds to be used for this project, which consists of the renovation of almost 12,000 gross square feet within TTHEP’s Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine Oral Health Clinic, 222 Rick Francis St. The work includes the conversion of campus support office space into space for clinics, instruction and administration that will support the continued growth of the dental education programs and the need for patient care services. The new center will include dedicated clinics for orthodontic and special-needs patients as well as same-day surgeries. These additions will enhance existing clinic facilities that have advanced dental education, comprehensive patient care and interdisciplinary collaboration since 2021. Officials have said an expanded clinic, which serves pediatric and adult patients regardless of their circumstances, will bolster student and faculty recruitment and strengthen TTEHP’s academic mission. This step follows the board’s vote last August to approve $1.4 million for the design and preconstruction stage. Initially, the board was told that construction would cost $11.5 million and involve the renovation of 13,750 square feet. At that time, Billy Breedlove, vice chancellor for facilities planning and construction, told the board that the clinic served more than 28,000 patients this past year. Those visits included more than 5,500 special needs procedures and almost 3,000 oral health surgeries. The plan is to eventually connect the clinic to a future Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine Building. The agenda item also included reporting the project to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Portion of Bob Mitchell Drive To Be Renamed After Fred Loya The El Paso City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved renaming a portion of Bob Mitchell Drive to Fred Loya Drive in honor of the late businessman and philanthropist. The portion of the Eastside road that will be renamed is from Montwood Drive to Paseo del Rey Drive. Loya was well known for hosting an annual and elaborate Christmas display at his home with more than 80,000 lights and more than 60,000 attendees throughout the holiday season. Fred Loya Insurance grew from $5 million to nearly $1 billion per year, with the late businessman previously noting that El Paso was central to his American dream, his family said. The Fred Loya family on Oct. 14 announced a $20 million contribution toward the proposed deck park, which would be named the Fred Loya Family Deck Plaza. City Rep. Chris Canales, who was in favor of the name change, asked if the Bob Mitchell family was contacted about the potential name change before the City Council was set to vote. City staff had not contacted the Mitchell family. Canales requested that staff in the future include that step as part of the process for renaming streets that are named after individuals. Paso Fuerte Provide Thanksgiving Meals to Nearly 300 El Paso Families A community initiative focused on empowering women in South El Paso will distribute food to nearly 300 families ahead of Thanksgiving. Paso Fuerte will host its Day of Gratitude event where families will receive food to prepare Thanksgiving meals at home. Paso Fuerte is a collaborative leadership initiative organized by Segundo Barrio Fútbol Club and the Junior League of El Paso. The yearlong program provides 15 women from the Southside community with opportunities to develop leadership skills through workshops, activities and community projects. The Thanksgiving distribution is among the projects organized through the initiative, giving participants experience in fundraising, event p