Ivins approves Black Desert Resort pickleball complex with lighting, hours and shuttle conditions

The Ivins City Council voted July 17 to approve a Class 5 conditional use permit allowing Black Desert Resort to build a multi‑court pickleball complex designed to host professional tournaments.

Applicant Coco Head, managing counsel for Black Desert, told the council the facility is intended both as an amenity for resort guests and as a permanent tournament venue. Plans include a championship court and smaller courts; the championship court will require taller fixtures for televised play and may use poles up to about 40 feet, while typical courts use 20–25 foot poles.

The Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions. The council’s approval includes these conditions: compliance with the city lighting code (applicants must provide lighting specifications from an illumination engineering specialist and work with the city on fixture choices to limit lateral spill); hours of operation limited to 7 a.m.–10 p.m. with allowance to finish an event that starts before 10 p.m.; a parking and shuttle plan for tournaments to avoid unmanaged curbside parking; and measures to mitigate noise. The applicant agreed to coordinate with neighboring developments and to use focused, modern fixtures and shielding where needed.

Council discussion focused on visibility from adjacent neighborhoods, pole height, lighting spill and temporary bleacher needs for large tournaments. Jerry Miyahara, representing an adjacent development, confirmed coordination on buffers and sight lines. The council expressed interest in staff review of final lighting specs once the professional association (PPA) and the applicant finalize tournament lighting requirements.

The conditional use permit was approved in a council motion; the vote passed on the floor.

Next steps: the applicant will provide final lighting designs and a tournament parking/shuttle plan for staff review to ensure compliance with the conditions adopted by the council.