Area businesses donating to Tony Gwynn Memorial

Eleven local and regional businesses are being recognized by the City of Poway as “Memorial VIPs” for donating materials and labor to create the Tony Gwynn Memorial at Lake Poway, which will be dedicated on Tuesday, May 9.

The memorial will include an 11-foot-tall bronze statue of Gwynn by Texas artist Seth Vandabil, a donor wall and seating.

The following companies pitched in with donations of time, manpower, equipment and materials for the construction of the plaza and wall:

Swinerton Builders: Main construction of plaza, including layout, wall footings, bench and pedestal for statue ($25,000 value)

Bright View Landscape: Concrete sidewalks and slabs ($10,000 value)

Terra Firma Landscape: Plaza design and plans for irrigation, plantings, etc. ($10,000 value)

La Jolla Stone Etching: Etching on plaza floor, donor wall and monument ($7,000 value)

San Diego Granite: Memorial wall materials and installation ($10,000 value)

Robertson’s Ready Mix: Concrete ($10,000 value)

Squires Lumber: Lumber ($10,000 value)

Minshew Bros Steel Construction: Rebar ($3,000 value)

Bob’s Crane Service: Hydraulic truck crane ($2,500 value)

United Site Services: Temporary fencing ($1,000 value)

Sunstate: Construction equipment ($1,000 value)Terra Firma Landscape President and owner Larry Swikard said that honoring Gwynn’s gregarious spirit and welcoming personality was a natural fit for both his company and family.

“We have always been about helping out with community related projects especially in the Poway, Rancho Penasquitos, Mira Mesa and Scripps Ranch areas as we have lived, worked and raised our kids in those areas,” said Swikard. “As San Diego natives, we have been lifelong Padres fans since the Westgate Park era and lifetime supporters of San Diego State. Tony Gwynn is the most iconic Padre of all time, he and his whole family represent the epitome of dignity, leadership and class in everything they have done.”

The public is invited to attend the May 9 dedication cermony, which will begin at 10:30 a.m. The memorial is near the Lake Poway ballfield.

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