Utah Black Diamonds' center will be first-ever home facility for a pro pickleball team

Major League Pickleball’s Utah Black Diamonds have announced plans for the Utah Black Diamonds Pickleball Center, a privately funded $25 million team facility in South Jordan.

The Pardoe family, which owns the Black Diamonds franchise and the land where the facility will be built, and GCTM Investments will each put up $12.5 million and share ownership of the two-story, 75,000-square-foot center, which will have a total footprint of 90,000 square feet including outdoor courts.

The Picklr, a Kaysville-based franchisor of indoor pickleball facilities, and architectural partner LARC of Salt Lake City designed the space. The Picklr, which operates more than 250 pickleball clubs across the U.S., will also partner with the Black Diamonds to operate the center. Connor Pardoe, Black Diamonds owner and Professional Pickleball Association founder and CEO, said the group is still deciding among three contractors to partner on construction. The Utah Black Diamonds Pickleball Center will be the first dedicated facility for a professional pickleball team.

Major League Pickleball is a nationwide, 22-team league split in two divisions. The Utah Black Diamonds play in the upper division known as the Premier Level.

Construction on the new facility is set to begin in October, with the goal of opening in the middle of MLP’s 2025 season. Pardoe said the hope is the facility will host at least one PPA Tour and MLP event next year. With an expected membership cost of $200 per month, it will also offer open play, clinics and tournaments for amateur and recreational players.

The new center will feature 36 pickleball courts (30 indoor and six outdoor); a 1,500-seat championship court with VIP seating; two grandstand courts with 500 seats each; a full gym and recovery center with cold plunges, steam rooms and saunas; a café, bar and social center; and a Pickleball Central pro shop.

“We see pickleball growing so much, every single month, every single year. I think that this is the first of many,” Pardoe said. “I would assume all 22 (MLP) teams would move down a path to have something like this — maybe some just as sophisticated, maybe some a little less sophisticated, as we go. But I think it’s going to be an important part, as a team owner, of being able to drive value for your team and being able to think of monetizing and growing the brand. And it’s going to be super-important to be able to grow fandom with the local community and grow a local fanbase.”

“We are thrilled to partner with the Utah Black Diamonds to launch this pioneering facility, which represents a significant milestone not just for professional pickleball, but for enthusiasts at every level,” said Jorge Barragan, CEO and co-founder of The Picklr. “The Utah Black Diamonds Pickleball Center will set a new standard for professional pickleball with its state-of-the-art design and comprehensive amenities that cater to both the casual player and the professional athlete.”