Hundreds of students, local officials and former NFL players gathered at Pajaro Middle School Monday to celebrate the groundbreaking of a $4.5 million project that will transform the school’s athletic fields.
The Nov. 2 ceremony included students from Pajaro Middle School and flag football players from Pajaro Valley, Watsonville, Aptos and Renaissance high schools, who participated in a football skills clinic following the groundbreaking.
The project will bring new athletic turf and other improvements to the fields, which will accommodate football, flag football, soccer and physical education classes.
The improvements are funded primarily through Measure M, a voter-approved bond that supports facility improvements throughout Pajaro Valley Unified School District.
The project also received a $250,000 grant through a partnership between the 49ers Foundation, NFL Foundation and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC).
Another $337,852 has been raised through local foundations, businesses and individual donors, according to PVUSD.
Superintendent Heather Contreras said the project represents an investment in the students and the greater Pajaro community.
“We know that as we turn dirt, we are building a foundation of health, of joy, and opportunity for our students and for the entire community of Pajaro,” she said.
“For our Panthers, these fields mean a safe, state-of-the-art space to run, to play, to compete, and to build lifelong lessons in teamwork and resilience.”
Contreras also credited former interim superintendent Murry Schekman for helping bring the project to fruition.
“For the neighborhood, it creates a vibrant green space where families can gather, connect, and take pride in their community,” she said.
Sophie Navarro of the 49ers Foundation said the organization has worked with the NFL Foundation and LISC to bring athletic facilities to communities across the country.
“The 49ers Foundation is committed to bringing safe and equitable spaces for everyone to participate in,” she said.
The NFL Foundation and LISC have partnered for nearly three decades through the Grassroots Field Grant Program, which has provided more than $70 million to schools and community organizations nationwide, Navarro said.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have Pajaro Middle School join that list,” she said.
Among the special guests was former San Francisco 49ers running back Anthony Dixon, who played for the team from 2010–13 and appeared in Super Bowl XLVII. He later played for the Buffalo Bills.
Dixon said the project resonated with him because of his upbringing in Jackson, Mississippi, where he grew up as the oldest of eight children.
“I come from a lot of poverty and struggle,” he said. “So, you know, to me, it’s important to support something like this.”
Dixon said he understands what it means to grow up in a small community where opportunities can be limited.
“Making sure those people feel appreciated and loved and touched and supported and all that stuff is important,” he said.
Watsonville City Councilwoman Maria Orozco said the improvements will give students opportunities to stay active while developing important skills.
“I’m very happy for our students,” she said. “I think it’s all about them.”
“Our students deserve opportunities like this. They deserve a sports field where they can play, learn a sport, stay active, learn leadership, and have fun.”
Major contributors include the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, Borina Fund, Community Foundation for Monterey County and Community Foundation Santa Cruz County.
Sergio Ambriz, PVUSD’s director of planning, construction and facility needs, said the project required coordination among contractors, architects and engineers, along with approvals from the California Division of the State Architect.
Other supporters include Bothman Construction, Sun Valley Farms and Voler Strategic Advisors.
“When we invest in our school facilities, we tell our students that their growth, health, and future matter deeply to all of us,” Contreras said.
Districr officials said they hope to finish the field by February, depending on the weather.
