In honor of his father Delmon Hodges and his desire to always give back to the community of Fort Stockton, city councilman Darren Hodges will be donating $1 million via the Delmon Hodges Estate to the city for a complete makeover of the Fort Stockton Convention Center patio.

The Fort Stockton City Council approved two $500,000 donations from the Delmon Hodges Estate at their regular meeting on July 25. The first donation of $500,000 will be released to the City of Fort Stockton in August and the second will follow in January.

“This (donation) is to make our convention center and recreation center a really special place in honor of my parents. He loved Fort Stockton and wanted to give back,” councilman Hodges said at Monday’s meeting.

City Manager Frank Rodriguez clarified that the use of the funds will directly dictated by the Hodges family and is set to include an amphitheater, stage, outside men and women’s restroom, fencing, lighting, agricultural scenery, awning for shade, additional trees, and a dance floor.

See updates on additions made to the convention center patio in future editions of the Pioneer.