Pear Valley Vineyard owner donates dirt removal

[dropcap size=small]P[/dropcap]ear Valley Vineyards owner Tom Maas has donated his work and equipment to remove and transport dirt at Flamson Middle School’s War Memorial Stadium and PRHS stadium. The donation was estimated by the district to be worth at least $800,000, according to Paso Robles Joint Unified School District Chief Business Officer Duane Wolgamott.
“We appreciate [Maas’] partnership and dedication…passion and commitment, [he’s] one in a million, [I thank him] so, so much,” PRJUSD superintendent Chris Williams said.
The donation will help a project within the larger Facilities Master Plan, a plan that outlines $193 million in construction, modernization and renovation in the 11 schools in PRJUSD. The FMP will have several benefits to PRHS, such as an improved parking drop off, band and auto shop room expansions and major and minor modernization throughout the campus. The dirt removed by the donation will eventually be replaced with artificial turf at the two stadiums, and the removed dirt will be used to level fields north of the stadiums at their respective schools, in alignment with the FMP, according to Wolgamott. The removal at War Memorial will occur at the end of the PRHS football season, while the PRHS stadium removal will occur at the end of the track season.
“I’m very fast about it…you’ll be amazed what we can do in a day…my goal is two weeks,” Maas said.
Maas’ massive donation was acknowledged and officially approved by a unanimous vote at a September 13th board meeting, where he received a standing ovation. “[Maas] is a true Paso Roblan, he sees a need and he does it,” PRJUSD board member Joel Peterson said.
Maas was not alone in his donation, with several other wineries also contributing equipment to help with the project. “There’s lot of people, all the wineries are kicking in,” Maas said.
Maas has experience with this type of project, as he helped with similar renovations at San Clemente High School, and he says he finds it “actually kind of fun.”