In the Beginning
Venture Out was first imagined in 1968 as a solution for the growing popularity of travel trailers on American highways.
Early RV travelers struggled to find good campgrounds, and when they did, many were disappointed. They wanted simple comforts like clean bathrooms, a swimming pool, and maybe a clubhouse.
Entrepreneurs Hazen Kreis and Bob Epperson turned their dream into reality, building the first Venture Out resort at Lake Tansi, Tennessee. It quickly became so popular that they built another in Gatlinburg, then expanded to four more locations: Cudjoe Key, Panama City Beach, and St. Lucie, Florida, plus a large community in Mesa, Arizona. The Florida clubhouses and bathhouses had a special 12-sided design to withstand hurricanes, and this design was also used in Arizona. Remarkably, the half-century-old buildings in Panama City and Cudjoe Key withstood the hurricanes, while the parks around them suffered extensive damage.
As they expanded, Kreis and Epperson partnered with Gulf Oil Corporation, which helped fund the projects. Thanks to Gulf Oil’s resources, Venture Out at Mesa received top-quality PVC pipes for water and sewer systems. Originally, Mesa’s Venture Out covered 200 acres of farmland and included 1,752 RV spaces. Over time, a portion of the land was sold, leaving 160 acres. Ownership of lots was key, with RV spaces first selling for $3,900 in 1970.
Each Venture Out resort evolved based on its location. The Tennessee resorts focused on boating and fishing near state and national parks, while the Florida locations embraced the beachfront lifestyle, with many owners keeping boats at their homes. Mesa’s Venture Out became an activity-based community with a focus on sports, hobbies, and clubs. Five of the six resorts were family-friendly, but Mesa was originally for adults only.
In 1988, new federal housing laws made adults-only communities illegal, allowing only 55+ or 62+ communities. Venture Out at Mesa had to meet the new rules, ensuring all future owners had at least one person 55 or older.
Originally, only travel trailers were allowed, but over time, owners voted to allow park models, then awnings, then enclosed Arizona rooms, and eventually, Arizona rooms at the same height as the park models. All changes were approved by the lot owners, and more may come in the future.
When Venture Out opened in 1970, it had only the Administration building and one bathhouse. By the end of the year, the Community Center and West Pool were added. Over the next 20 years, more buildings, courts, and facilities were built. By 2002, at 32 years old, the aging community needed updates to stay attractive to new buyers. Long-range planning led to renovations, keeping Venture Out a desirable place for future retirees.
