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Private group presents plan to buy and renovate Adelanto Stadium; council seeks more vetting
Summary
A private investor and promoter team led by broker Bob Archuleta and promoter Mike Chagun presented a bid to acquire and renovate the Adelanto Stadium & Event Center, proposing immediate upgrades, local hiring and an April grand opening; councilmembers pressed for investor disclosures and said the city will let the RFP period conclude before deciding.
A private investor group led by broker Bob Archuleta and promoters told the Adelanto City Council on Nov. 25 that it wants to buy, renovate and operate the Adelanto Stadium & Event Center and has offered a deposit to support a rapid close and April grand opening.
"We don't want to pinpoint that, but nearly 30 years," Archuleta said, introducing the team and describing its track record in venue promotion. He and the team said they plan to pay for renovations without asking the city to fund construction and seek a 30-day escrow to begin work immediately if the sale closes.
The presenters outlined a range of repairs and upgrades they would pursue, naming improvements to bleachers, restrooms, kitchens and ramps, installing many more LED screens and cameras, converting skyboxes to VIP space and adding security towers and generator capacity. Mike Chagun, the group's lead contractor, described safety and ADA fixes as priorities and said the team expects to invest in local hiring.
"We're buying it as is, period. Not asking the city to spend a dime," Archuleta said when council members raised questions about funding and timelines.
Councilmembers pressed the group for more details. Councilwoman Evans asked for a complete list of renovations and for the identities of investors backing the bid; Archuleta named Jose Aquino and one partner, Fernando, and said a third investor had been unresponsive. Mike Chagun said the group could raise between $700,000 and $1,000,000 for initial construction and that further funds would be required for booking acts and larger upgrades.
Council members also raised public-safety and community-use concerns, urging the presenters to ensure the stadium remains accessible for local events such as youth sports, quinceañeras and nonprofit activities. Mayor Reyes and others emphasized the city's need for rigorous due diligence because past stadium transactions had nearly bankrupted the city.
At one point a council member asked whether any investor or partner had ties to criminal organizations. Chagun answered that he and his partners were not affiliated with drug or cartel activity and described declining past approaches from organized-crime figures when he ran other venues.
Staff reported out of closed session that the RFP period for the stadium sale remains open: Todd said the city's RFP expires on Dec. 8 and that the council will allow that period to finish before taking any final action.
No formal sale or lease was approved at the meeting. Councilmembers voted on routine agenda and consent items earlier in the session; the sale proposal was the subject of the public presentation and subsequent closed-session discussion, with the city directing staff to complete due diligence and return to council after the RFP window closes.
