Vista Wave Waterpark gets $3.5M facelift, lap swim returns

Vista City Council approves $3.5M for urgent repairs and reinstates lap swim, while debating long-term strategies for the 31-year-old waterpark

VISTA — A significant investment is coming to the Wave Waterpark as the City Council approved $3.5 million on Tuesday for repairs and will reinstate lap swim.

The council is also looking at funding another $3.6 million over the next 10 years to address deferred maintenance to the park. In February, the council approved replacing two chemical controllers, which were installed in May before the park opened for the season.

The council also debated several options regarding the future operations and whether to include a possible partnership with a third party for advice on operations and marketing. At times, the issue became heated over the lack of major maintenance at the park since it was constructed in 1994.

Funds will be allocated from the Proposition L reserve account. Prop. L was a general sales tax approved by voters years ago and can be used for any city facility or project now that the intended items have been funded.

Regardless, the waterpark will remain under the city’s control, while the council is expected to continue discussions on its future, how to increase revenues, long-term maintenance, strategy and others.

“I was on the committee 38 years ago to work on the Wave Waterpark,” Vista resident Peggy Ramsing said. “It’s time to remove the Water Waterpark from whatever budget it hasn’t had and include it in maintenance for Public Health and Safety. Water safety is at least as basic as fire safety, traffic circles, and bicycle safety beams. It benefits more people and is a bit more fun.”

The park is in a financial hole and is physically breaking down even though the city provides a $1 million annual subsidy for the waterpark.

Recreation and Community Services Director Mike Pacheco told the council the park needs an annual budget of $360,000 per year for the next 10 years for ongoing maintenance through 2035.

However, the cost dramatically increases after 2035, with city projections showing a total expense of $14 million.

Justin Caron of Aquatic Design Group, the original architect of the waterpark, outlined the city’s first phase of maintenance. He said the plan calls for modernizing all pool mechanical and chemical systems, resurfacing the lap pool and lower-lever pool deck, and assessments of swimming pools, pool decks, waterslides, FlowRider and splash pad.