CITY NEWS

Photo of a slide tower at the Wave Waterpark

Vista City Council Approves Wave Waterpark Improvements

At its August 12, 2025 meeting, the Vista City Council voted to move forward with a phased improvement plan for the Wave Waterpark. This decision followed months of public input and consideration of three options for the facility’s future. The Wave, which has served the community since 1994, operates as both a recreational waterpark and Vista’s municipal pool, hosting community swim programs, school swim meets, and water polo matches.

The approved plan, recommended by City staff, will invest $3.5 million in upgrades to pools, decks, slides, the Flow Rider, splash pad, and related systems. The improvements will be funded by Proposition L, a voter-approved half-cent sales tax dedicated to major public facility projects. In addition, the Council directed staff to restore year-round lap swimming for the public.

Councilmembers emphasized the importance of keeping the Wave under City operation to preserve community access and its role as a gathering place. Public feedback played a key role in shaping the decision, with residents participating in workshops and providing input on all options. The Wave remains open on weekends and Labor Day through September 28.

Click Here for Complete Details on the City Council's Approval

Free E-Bike Training Classes on August 23

The City of Vista is continuing its free e-Bike training classes with in-person and virtual sessions on Saturday, August 23 at the Vista Civic Center, 200 Civic Center Drive. The in-person option starts with classroom training from 9 am until 10 am followed by bike-riding training from 10 am until noon. The virtual session will be offered from 9 am until 10 am. Training is open to ages 10 years of age or older. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. In-person participants will receive a free bike helmet.

Click Here for More Information and to Register for e-Bike Training

photo of a corkboard with the word input on it

Senior Citizens Affairs Commission to Review 2026 Workplan on August 26

The community is invited to the Senior Citizens Affairs Commission meeting on Tuesday, August 26 at 1 pm at the Gloria McClellan Senior Center, 1400 Vale Terrace Drive. The Commission will review its 2026 workplan and welcomes community input.

How to Share Your Comments

Email: Send written comments to kgranse@vista.gov with “D1: Annual Workplan” in the subject line.
Phone: Leave an oral comment by calling 760.643.5280 (include your name and spelling).
Comments must be received by 10 am on the meeting day to be provided to the Commission before the meeting.

Meeting Information

View the agenda 72 hours before the meeting on the Senior Citizens Affairs Commission webpage. For more information, call the Commission liaison at 760.643.5280.

Free Vermicomposting Workshop August 23

The City of Vista is sponsoring a free Save Your Scraps: Vermicomposting Workshop presented by I Love A Clean San Diego at Alta Vista Botanical Gardens on Saturday, August 23 at 10 am.

This hands-on workshop will cover the following:

How to reduce food waste in your kitchen
Why it’s important to keep food waste out of landfills through composting and the organic waste recycling program
Tips on using your curbside green bin effectively

Attendees can build and take home a vermicomposting bin (worm composting) with all supplies provided—limited to one per household, with priority for Vista residents. The event will also feature a Sprouting Station, where participants can plant fruit and vegetable seeds to take home and grow, using finished compost to fertilize.

Alta Vista Gardens is located at 1270 Vale Terrace Drive within Brengle Terrace Park.

Click Here to Register for the Vermicomposting Workshop

A photo of seniors at the McClellan Senior Center

McClellan Senior Center Lunch Program

The McClellan Senior Center offers nutritious weekday lunches for adults aged 60+ for a suggested $4 contribution. Guests under 60 may attend for $8. First-time participants must complete a San Diego County intake form. Reservations are required—by 1 p.m. the business day before for daily lunch and one week ahead for special events. Call 760-643-5288 or stop by the lunch desk to reserve. Lunch is served at noon, with beverage service starting at 11 a.m. for those who wish to socialize. Guests must check in by 12:15 p.m. Attendees may bring their own containers for leftovers; no disposable containers are provided.

Transportation to and from lunch is available for eligible Vista residents 60+ who cannot drive and are ambulatory, with a suggested $1 roundtrip contribution. Advance registration and approval are required. Additional transportation for shopping and medical appointments is available through the Out & About Program.

Home meal delivery is also offered for qualifying Vista residents 60+ who are homebound and unable to perform at least two basic daily activities. Meals are delivered weekdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for a suggested $4 contribution per meal. An intake assessment is required to determine eligibility, and the program is subject to availability.

Click Here for the Remainder of August's Lunch Menu

Free Professional Services & Support Available at the McCellan Senior Center

Free meetings with professionals are available by appointment in the Azalea Building Conference Room. To schedule, call 760.643.5288. Walk-ins may be accommodated as time allows.

Ask an Attorney – Meet with local attorney Mark Caruana for a 15-minute session to discuss your legal questions. Appointments are available from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Bring a list of questions to make the most of your time.

Ask a Social Worker – Licensed Clinical Social Worker Darcy Mulholland offers 30-minute appointments on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. With over 20 years of experience working with seniors and their families, she provides guidance, support, information, and referrals to help you plan for aging—for yourself or your loved ones.

Movie Monday at the McClellan Senior Center

The McClellan Senior Center will offer a free showing of the movie "Spectre," rated PG and lasting 148 minutes, on Monday, August 25 at 1:15 pm. "Spectre" is a spy film and the twenty-fourth in the James Bond series, starring Daniel Craig as the MI6 agent. The film follows Bond as he battles Spectre, an international crime organization led by his adoptive brother Franz Oberhauser, and uncovers its connection to the Joint Intelligence Service.

McClellan Senior Center Info

The City of Vista's McClellan Senior Center is located within Brengle Terrace Park at 1400 Vale Terrace Drive.

Click Here for More Information on the McClellan Senior Center

photo of Vista Leadership Academy participants

Reminder: Fall Into Leadership with the Vista Leadership Academy!

Interested in how Vista makes decisions and plans for its future? This fall, join the Vista Leadership Academy, a free, eight-week program for local residents and business owners.

The program meets Wednesdays from 5 pm to 7 pm (plus one daytime bus tour), offering an in-depth look at how city government operates. You’ll learn about decision-making processes, city budgeting, and how departments collaborate to shape our community.

As a participant, you’ll be able to do the following:

Meet with elected officials, the city manager, and department heads.
Tour key city facilities, the Vista Business Park, and downtown.
Discuss important issues like planning, growth, traffic, infrastructure, and finances.

The fall 2025 session runs from September 10 through October 29, with a graduation on Thursday, November 6. Participants must attend a minimum of six sessions to graduate. Enrollment is limited to 20 people (residents or business owners, 18+), and spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Take part in shaping Vista's future. Join the Vista Leadership Academy today!

Click Here for More Information and to Register for the Fall Leadership Academy

COMMUNITY NEWS

Temporary Food Facility Permit Workshop

Join the Vista Chamber of Commerce and the County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality for an informative session on how to obtain a Temporary Food Facility (TFF) Permit.

Whether you’re selling food at a farmers market, community festival, or special event, understanding the TFF permit process is essential. County representatives will walk you through the application requirements, timelines, fees, and health and safety guidelines to ensure your booth meets all regulations.

This workshop is perfect for restaurants, caterers, food vendors, nonprofit groups, and anyone looking to serve food at temporary events. Bring your questions and learn how to get your permit approved with ease—so you can focus on serving delicious food safely and legally.

The presenters from the County of San Diego are bilingual and can share information in Spanish. The event is free.

Click Here for More Information and to Register

photo of dancers from the 2024 Vistas Patrias event

Food & Artisan Vendors Sought for Vista's Fiestas Patrias Event

The Vista Chamber of Commerce welcomes applications from potential food and artisan vendors for its Vista's Fiestas Patrias community event on September 14 at Linda Rhoades Recreation Center. This free event is a vibrant celebration of Vista's Hispanic heritage and brings together families, businesses, and cultural organizations.

Click Here for More Information and Applications to be a Vendor

Exterior photo of the Vista Community Clinic

Vista Community Clinic Earns Top National Health Quality Award for Third Year Running

Vista Community Clinic (VCC) has earned a Gold Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) Badge from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration for the third consecutive year and fourth time overall—making it the only clinic in San Diego County to achieve the honor in 2025. The award places VCC among the top 10% of Federally Qualified Health Centers nationwide. In addition, VCC received four other national recognitions: National Quality Leader in Behavioral Health and Diabetes, Advancing Health IT, and the Preventive Health Badge, awarded to just 116 clinics in the U.S.

VCC exceeded both national and state averages in 17 of 18 key quality measures and led in 10 measures among North County clinics. The CHQR program recognizes exceptional performance in clinical quality, patient outcomes, access to care, and health information technology—highlighting VCC’s commitment to delivering high-quality, culturally responsive care to all patients, regardless of income or insurance status.

Click Here for More Information on the Vista Community Clinic

Aerial photo of the Moonlight Amphitheatre in Brengle Terrace Park

HIRE Job Fair Set for August 21 in San Diego

Job seekers are invited to connect with employers from a variety of industries at the free HIRE Job Fair, hosted by the San Diego Workforce Partnership. Up to 40 employers will be on site, offering opportunities to learn about open positions, apply directly, and speak with hiring representatives.

Event Details