Last week, Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park officials, in cooperation with the NHRA, announced the cancellation of this season’s running of the Arizona Nationals, citing what the former called “many circumstances beyond our control, including current COVID-19 restrictions.” Now, Wild Horse Pass is back in the news.
According to a report published today by AZBigMedia, the Wild Horse Pass Development Authority (WHGPDA) has drawn up plans for a 3,300-acre development project to be located at the southwest corner of I-10 and the new Loop 202 freeway. WHPDA has even chosen a developer, Scottsdale-based Sunbelt Holdings, to lead these development efforts. Per the report, the new commercial development will “provide new revenue streams to the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) by responding to current market demand.”
The master plan, which a quick review of the drawing will illustrate, sits directly atop the existing Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park 1/4-mile dragstrip, the neighboring Firebird Lake, the various road courses, and all associated property. The master plan, already approved by the Gila River Indian Community, is intended to include a large-scale sports and entertainment district, hotels, a wellness center, an event center, an outdoor amphitheater music entertainment venue, sports facilities, outdoor recreation and parks, restaurants, retail, and an office park. The development will also include a larger-capacity stadium for the Phoenix Rising Football Club.
“This expansion furthers our vision to provide additional economic development opportunities for Wild Horse Pass, GRIC, and the Greater Metropolitan Phoenix area,” said Donald Antone, Chairman of the WHPDA Board of Directors.
“The new development plan will create exceptional entertainment and lifestyle experiences, new jobs for community members, and will evolve our culture and legacy,” said David White, WHPDA General Manager.
Wild Horse Pass officials are reportedly suggesting the development could take upwards of 10 years to bring to fruition, providing a little extra life for the 37-year-old Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. Reliable sources have told Dragzine that members of the tribe have openly discussed the possibility of rebuilding the track elsewhere on its expanse of protected land should the development go through.