The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) announced that Ace Paving Co. Inc. of Bremerton is the winner of its 2002 Community Involvement Award. The company was honored at a special ceremony at the group’s 48th Annual Convention in San Diego, Calif.

“NAPA understands how important it is for the companies in our industry to participate in and support their communities,” commented David B. Carlson, Chairman of the NAPA Board of Directors. “This award reflects the high priority that Ace Paving Co. Inc. places upon its relationship with its neighbors.

NAPA presents its Community Involvement Award to Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) companies that serve their communities through outstanding programs and projects. One evening in August 2001, Ace Paving received a phone call from the Kitsap County Fair and Rodeo at 10 p.m. As much as four inches of rain that had fallen during the rodeo week and ruined the rodeo arena.

At 6 a.m. the next morning, Ace Paving dispatched 10 trucks and trailers, two graders, a bulldozer, and a loader to the site. Over the next 30 hours, company personal brought in over 1,200 cubic yards of sand, graded it, and made the arena usable again, while frequent rainsqualls complicated the work.

The rodeo took place the night they finished and lasted three days. Although the first two days of the rodeo had been cancelled because of rain, it went on to become so successful that is was voted the top rodeo on the Columbia Valley circuit.

The Kitsap County Fair and Rodeo also awarded the company a plaque in gratitude for its work in rescuing the event.