Vista works to "Save the Wave"
The city’s Wave Waterpark is struggling financially, and the city looks at options to increase revenue, renovate the facility, draw more visitors and more
VISTA — The City Council is united to Save the Wave.
How they get there, though, is another matter. The council and residents spent three hours discussing the struggling Vista Wave Waterpark on Tuesday and ultimately decided to host a workshop at a later date for more input.
The park is in a financial hole and physically breaking down. A consultant’s analysis showed the park is in need of $15 million to repair facilities with another $150,000 for annual upkeep. The consultant’s report showed a phased approach for the city how to tackle the capital improvements, starting with $3.3 million and another $100,000 to $150,000 to replace the outdated mechanical and chemical systems, which have not been replaced since the park opened in 1994.
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“We’ve been in discussions and that the purpose of our item this evening is to ensure the future of the Wave Waterpark long into the future,” Mayor John Franklin said. “And to make sure it serves the needs of the students utilizing it.
The options
The options include restoring the wave park through a phased approach, repurposing the park to include a mix of amenities or leasing to a private operator.
The first option is to preserve the Wavepark, which the staff report states is a popular asset, aligns with the “high importance” residents place on swimming pools, supports popular programs and maintains a valuable recreational option for residents. The con is it requires the ongoing subsidy, per the staff report.
At least 20 speakers, plus more than 100 emails, are in favor of the first option, according to the City Council.
“There’s been some social media posts and news reports about apartments being built,” Councilman Dan O’Donnell said. “I don’t think there is any desire or appetite for anybody on this dais to shut down the Wave Waterpark and put in apartments. I just want to be clear on my position on that.”
The second option is to repurpose the park to mix aquatics and convert of part of the property to public park amenities. The pros include creating a unique and innovative community space and to engage with residents to determine the future look and possibly keep some aquatic elements. The cons are the city would lose the waterpark and expensive construction.
Finally, the last possibility is leasing the property to a private operator. A public-private partnership would reduce the city’s subsidy, bring expertise and innovation to add new features to the park to generate revenue for the city.
The cons, though, include a direct loss of control of the operations, programming and pricing. Also, residents may object to a private operator controlling a public recreational facility.
The council was uniform in support the first option some council members open to including the second option. However, the real debate centered on the public-private partnership.
Council debate
Franklin said the council should green light a request for proposal for, at a minimum, to get an idea of the size of the investment, the business plan and whether the city can compete. He said the park struggles with marketing and branding to draw more visitors.
Angela Palasik, manager of the Wave Waterpark, said the park continues to see an increase in visitors, although the pandemic hit the facility hard. Also, pool decks and surfaces, along with the slides and other features are in bad shape, staff said.
The consultant said of all the publicly owned waterparks in the country, five are profitable. The city allocates a $1 million annual subsidy for the waterpark.
Councilwomen Corinna Contreras and Katie Melendez said they are wholeheartedly against a private operator and ceasing control to a corporation for a public amenity. Their concerns centered on a potential facility analysis and increases in ticket prices, thus pricing out lower income residents.
They also criticized previous councils for dropping the ball on capital investments over the years leading to the facility being in dire shape. Also, Contreras said the park must be cognizant of its price point, have better hours and pay competitive wages.
She also floated expanding the facility into the parking lot, along with a need for cost analysis for the FlowRider.
“I am an absolute no over a corporate takeover,” Contreras added. “I can stand for a world-class facility done by Vista. I know the Wave provides really valuable life lessons. I want to see more people access it. I don’t think that will happen if there’s a private operator.”
Melendez was in lockstep regarding a private operator. Franklin said other municipal-run assets, such as golf course, are typically operated through a specialized third-party.
“We’re hearing preliminarily an operator expects to increase ticket prices<” Melendez said. “We know that’s their intention. We imagine that’s what would be required for a business. Why would we even entertain putting an RFP out there that isn’t based in reality? We know an operator wouldn’t be able to do that. I just want to be realistic about that.”
Councilmen Dan O’Donnell and Jeff Fox said they were interested in an RFP, although O’Donnell stressed he wanted the workshop and more information before casting a vote either way. The council voted 2-2-1 regarding the RFP, which died, as Franklin and Fox voted yes and O’Donnell abstained.
“I have concerns with a private operator. Upgrades will make it more expensive,” O’Donnell added. “Spending $1 million by the city is a failure and is pulling money from other projects. I’m seeing both sides of the coin.”
Franklin said the council could look to other partnerships to max out the capacity of the park, such as with the Boys & Girls Club of Vista for discounted tickets. He said there are many other options to form other relationships to increase attendance.
The council as a whole also said the facility should be open longer than its current schedule, which runs from Memorial Day through September, although the park is only open on weekends once school starts in the fall.
The investment needed, though, is likely to increase ticket prices, Franklin, Fox and O’Donnell said. The challenge is whether the city can figure a way to make the park profitable or at least break even. The park has never earned a profit, according to City Manager John Conley.
Park outlook
Assessment study commissioned by the city with Aquatic Design Group to evaluate the park.
Season pass sales reached 2,536, a 75% increase compared to 2019. Of the season passes, 60% were sold to Vista residents, per the report.
Swim lessons drew 800 participants, and more than 500 kids attended summer camps. The Wavepark is also the home pool for the Rancho Buena Vista and Vista high school swim and water polo teams, along with several private clubs.
In 2024, the park had 139,100 total visits with 62,300 unique visitors for an average of 2.37 visits per person. The park saw a 14.1% increase in attendance compared to 2023, the report states.
The park’s revenue has grown over the past several years. According to the staff report, revenue for Fiscal Year 2021-22 the park generated $751,019 followed by $906,813 in FY 22-23 and $1.5 million in 23-24.
The expenditures, though, also increased from $1.6 million in 21-22, $2.1 million in FY 22-23 and $2.8 million in 23-24. The city’s subsidy from the General Fund, though, has increased as revenues have increased, staff reported.
In 21-22, the city’s share was $938,390, $961,355 in 22-23 and $680,000 in 23-24. In addition to the General Fund contribution in 23-24, the city spent $654,914 from its General Fund Capital Improvement Study. The city did receive $819,944 in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Resident reaction
Dozens of residents filled City Hall to voice their support of the waterpark with a strong showing of high school water polo players and coaches. The players and coaches advocated for reducing some of the amenities, such as the slides and lazy river, and for the city to invest in building a 50-meter pool.
Eric Carnohan played three seasons of water polo at Vista High School, collegiately at Cal Baptist, professionally in Australia and Spain and made several appearances with Team USA. He said no other high school in the country has done more for its athletes in the sport with less water than VHS.
He said no council or city staffer has been able to pull off a pool expansion and now is the time for Vista to move forward and for the council to leave its mark on the city.
Currently, Vista and Rancho Buena Vista high schools do not host any home water polo matches or swim meets. However, the Vista Unified School District was supposed to build a pool from the $247 million Measure LL bond, according to district records.
The district, though, has blown through the bond money due to cost increases, a project labor agreement and supply chain issues due to the pandemic, among other issues.
Regardless, other residents said also voiced support for the city to maintain control and to keep the waterpark as it’s a critical assets for the city with swim lessons, water therapy, recreation and more.
The council, though, said the park is critical not just for athletics, but for all residents.
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