About Sunland Springs Village

Farnsworth Development has been a cornerstone of the active adult housing industry in Mesa since 1959. Founded by Ross Farnsworth, Sr., a visionary Arizona native and dedicated civic leader, the company built its reputation on superior quality and community enhancement.

 

Sunland Springs Village stands as the fourth and final major master-planned retirement community developed by the Farnsworth family in the East Valley (preceded by Dreamland Villa, Sunland Village, and Sunland Village East). Spanning over 900 acres, the community was envisioned to provide high-end, low-maintenance resort living for active adults.

 

 

 

When planning began in the late 1990s, the chosen parcel south of the Superstition Freeway (US 60) was largely untouched desert land stretching toward Signal Butte Road. The community was uniquely plotted around a central focal point — the Sunland Springs Golf Club, a 27-hole executive golf course, with two Par 5 holes, meticulously integrated with the surrounding residential areas to provide stunning mountain vistas.

 

The SSV clubhouse remains a central hub for social gatherings including the Village Grille and occasional live music.

In 1997, The earliest single-family homes and twin-home models broke ground just south of Baseline Road. Construction of the thousands of single-family homes, townhomes and “garden condos” was strategically broken up into geographic phases, starting north and moving south, spanning three decades.

 

Amenity Integration: To attract buyers to the remote desert location, Farnsworth prioritized rapid building of central amenities. The Springwood Complex included the early creation of the Superstition Room and card/game rooms, library, ceramics, lapidary, textiles, and woodworking shops as well as recreational complexes featuring tennis courts, shuffleboard courts, a billiards room, and swimming pools.

 

 

 

As the northern neighborhoods filled, building shifted toward Guadalupe Road. For years, the land directly south of Guadalupe Road remained open desert until the later phases of the community were systematically laid out, continuing the trend of low-maintenance, single-story active-adult architecture.
 
Final Phase: The final home-building phase at Sunland Springs Village was completed in 2021 when the Olivewood condos were built on the western edge of the community, at the site of the former construction office. The community was now completely 'Built-Out' at 2,847 residential units.

In 2005, One of the most defining characteristics of a Farnsworth-built community was completed at SSV: The Springwood Auditorium. While many modern active-adult developments focus on smaller, modular clubhouses, Ross Farnsworth believed in creating grand gathering spaces to foster a genuine sense of small-town community.

 

Sunland Springs Village's auditorium acts as the cultural and social heartbeat of the community, hosting theater productions, live concerts, dinner dances, and large-scale resident meetings. The Auditorium boasts state-of-the art technology for sound, lighting, and video, which further enhances the quality of the productions and activities. 

In 2012,The builders responded to resident requests for additional amenities, prompting the opening of the San Tan Recreation Complex just south of Guadalupe. It includes a modern, access-controlled fitness center and resort-style swimming pool/spa. The smaller auditorium features a more intimate setting for activities such as Karaoke, ping-pong, and state parties.

 

Other amenities added in the 2000’s include a softball field, a dog park, more tennis courts, and the community’s first four pickleball courts.

 

Like many 55+ communities in Arizona, Sunland Springs Villages experiences what is referred to as the 'Snowbird' phenomenon. While about one-half of the residents live here year-round, many spend the summers traveling to cooler places or return to their home state (or country).

 

As you might expect, this means that there are more activities happening in the winter months (October-April). However, there is still plenty to do in Sunland Springs Village during the summer months, and local restaurants are much less crowded.

 

The centerpiece of the community is Sunland Springs Golf Club, which features Mesa’s only 27-hole executive golf course. Originally built and owned by the developers, they intended to sell the golf course to an outside investor. A major milestone in the community's history occurred in 2016 when 400 residents banded together to purchase the golf course. 

 

Transitioning the course to a resident-owned amenity secured the green spaces, preserved property values, and ensured that the community retains direct control over its operation, maintaining it as a beautifully manicured asset right outside its back doors.

 

Reflecting the sport’s popularity nationwide, pickleball became one of the most vibrant activities in the village. The four courts built with the San Tan Center quickly became inadequate.

 

Negotiations with Craig Ahlstrom, President of Farnsworth Development, resulted in an agreement for eight courts to be built in 2016 across the street from the existing four west courts. In that agreement the Pickleball Club would contribute $110,000 to the project. Contributions from the SSV Tennis Club and SSV Softball Club assisted the Pickleball Club in reaching that goal. The Club initiated Lifetime Memberships at $250 and a donation program. As a group, six Pickleball families agreed to match other members’ donations up to a total of $20,000. A bronze plaque mounted on the East Court storage/kitchen building recognizes those who contributed to this effort. 

In February of 2020, the first board of directors (HOA Board) was elected at SSV. Prior to this 2020 transition, the developer managed the HOA, and residents served on several committees that helped lead the community. The formation of this homeowner-led board meant residents now had direct control of association policies, budgets, and expenditures. 

Before the newly elected board had a chance to get to know each other, the COVID-19 pandemic occurred, and their visions of planning and improvements hit a sudden roadblock. On April 2, 2020, temporary amenity closures, capacity limits, and guest bans at SSV were implemented by the board and community manager. Social distancing and electronic meetings helped the community survive the pandemic, and a phased reopening of some activities began in the summer, starting with outdoor activities.