Builder Plans Stadium Complex Near Fontana

Fontana officials Thursday announced details of a developer’s plan to build a $450-million stadium complex, including a 75,000-seat outdoor facility for football and baseball and a 26,000-seat indoor arena for basketball or other sports, on 250 acres of land northwest of the city.

The proposal for the development along Interstate 15 in western San Bernardino County comes from the firm of Kagan Management Services Inc. and would involve joint ownership by the city of Fontana, the Kagan firm and professional sports franchises that agreed to move to the facilities.

But, according to a spokesman for the Kagan firm, no teams have been approached, and none will be until the city approves a memorandum of understanding with the firm on conditions for the project. The City Council will discuss the matter Tuesday.

Fontana Mayor Nat Simon called the proposal “a risk-free deal for the city,” adding: “We’re not spending a dime of taxpayers’ money, and we have a chance to bring professional sports to our city. It could put our city on the map.”

City Manager John O’Sullivan said the proposal avoids the problems faced by the San Gabriel Valley city of Irwindale, when it sought to acquire the Los Angeles Raiders football franchise with a $10-million advance cash payment, only to lose the money when it couldn’t come up with financing for the stadium.

“Until they bring us the teams, we don’t do anything,” O’Sullivan said.

Fontana is only the latest of four Southland cities to propose building either indoor or outdoor arenas to attract pro teams. Irwindale, Santa Ana and Anaheim also have expressed interest in such biddings.

With Los Angeles’ negotiations to retain the Raiders not making much progress, one Coliseum commissioner, Richard Riordan, expressed concern Thursday that the Raiders might consider moving to Fontana. But he said that the team had told Coliseum officials it was as yet not involved.