In 1980, Bill and Jenny Wright of Santa Barbara came to Borrego and to look at the possibility of purchasing a manufactured home community named the RoadRunner Club. They fell in love with the town and the area and bought the project. Shortly after that Bill had the idea to build a high-end RV resort, which eventually became The Springs at Borrego.
Over the years, Bill and Jenny poured their hearts and souls into the two projects. Jenny scrubbed floors, moved furniture and hung drapes for many years. Residents and guests alike became accustomed to Bill showing up at their door or campsite, introducing himself as "the Sunday gardener" or "Dan's big brother". He roamed the properties tirelessly, pushing himself to make the place ever better for our customers, and to understand their needs and desires.
Now, thirty-seven years later, at an age that they describe as "the sunny side of 90", Bill and Jenny are ready to let go of (at least the responsibility, if not the passion for) the properties.
As of October 25, management of the properties was assumed by Good Life Communities of Sacramento under new ownership. Good Life operates manufactured home communities and RV parks across the west, primarily in California.
The entire staff has been retained, including yours truly as general manager of both properties. It is our intention to maintain the excellence that both properties exhibit on an ongoing basis. Our guests and homeowners should see no drop-off in the customer service and maintenance standards.
Here is a brief history of the properties to date;
1968 - The RoadRunner Golf Course and the initial phase of RoadRunner housing opens, developed by the DiGiorgio Corporation
1980 - Bill and Jenny Wright purchase the RoadRunner Club.
1983-84 - A major renovation of the RoadRunner Clubhouse is undertaken and completed.
1999 - A Major Use Permit is obtained to expand the RoadRunner Club, build the Springs Golf Course and develop The Springs at Borrego RV Resort.
2002 - A grading permit is issued and major construction begins.
2003 - The Springs Golf Course opens for business.
2004 - The expansion of the RoadRunner opens for business and new larger-style homes begin being built.
2005 - The Springs at Borrego RV Resort opens for business.
2009 - The Springs at Borrego is awarded the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds' 2009-10 Small Park of the Year.
2010 - The Springs is awarded Good Sam Travel Guide's highest possible rating (10/10*/10), a rating it still carries today.
2010 - The Springs is awarded an "A" rating by its guests through the online rating system of
guestreviews.com. This highest possible rating (which it now carries for the seventh year in a row) is awarded to less than one-half of one percent of the more than 2000 parks in the system.
2017 - The Springs at Borrego and the RoadRunner Club are acquired by Good Life Communities of Sacramento.
The Wrights intend to continue to be active in their communities of Borrego Springs and Santa Barbara, involved in charity, non-profit work, and development projects such as a hotel and shopping center in Santa Barbara, among many others.
In his own words, the Sunday Gardener expresses his gratitude to everyone by saying, "Thanks for the memories!".
