UTAH TECH UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE | February 16, 2025

OPINION | Why St. George expansions are a game changer for community

Numerous construction projects have been underway in St. George and the nearby towns, attracting fresh businesses to the area. These additions include Black Desert Resort, an additional Costco, WinCo, REI and Hobby Lobby. Elizabeth Harding | Sun News Daily

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I have lived in St. George all my life, but it wasn’t until I got my driver’s license that I started noticing how much this city has grown over the last couple of years. As more and more people come to St. George, it is important that the city grows to support the increase in popularity.

As I started driving, I started using landmarks to navigate around town, and as I tried to communicate directions, I realized that the number of landmarks I was seeing had been increasing. One example is the new Panera that is being built by the Green Springs area.

Over the weekend, I drove out to check the new Black Desert Resort in Ivins. I am never on that side of town, so I haven’t seen all of the construction over there. It’s crazy how much construction there is right now. It takes up a large chunk of the area. What used to be a field of lava rock is now multiple hotel buildings, a clubhouse and a golf course. All of the buildings are huge, with the clubhouse having beautiful decorations on the exterior.

Even with all the construction, Ivins is still the prettiest area around. The resort consists of a 19-hole golf course as well as a resort visitors can stay at. As a golfer myself, I am excited for the course. It quickly became a bucket list item for me.

The combination of the lava rock, the classic golf scenery that I grew up with, and the Ivins’ red rock creates a breathtaking atmosphere. If I were to describe my happy place, this would be what I saw that night. 

I am excited for the future growth in this city. As I have started driving, I have come to get to know the area around me, and when it changes I am not prepared for it. One example is the new merge lane as you pass The Boilers Park in Washington. The first time, I was driving normally in the right lane, when a car came zooming past me from my right. It scared me. I’m now used to the merge being there, and I can prepare for the possibility of a car trying to pass me.

I have learned to appreciate things like good parking lots. A good parking lot to me is one that has plenty of room to get in and out of. I get stressed out when I don’t have enough room to back out and make the turn to leave. I am the type of person that will park in a different, more manageable parking lot and walk over to where I am going.

So, I have great appreciation for when I don’t have to worry about getting out of the parking lot I trapped myself in. There will always be an adjustment period, but I will eventually get used to the changes and plan accordingly.

Since I have lived here my whole life, there are certain things that have been here the entire time, that have recently been changed. For example, the traffic light that has been added by my house. I will never get used to it being there.

Despite this, I am grateful for the plans coming in the future. I have come to appreciate adjustments to various roads to make them bigger and more accessible, after the construction is done, of course. One example of this is the changes made to I-15 with the added lane and new access points from exit 12 to Main Street.

I am hyped for the upcoming businesses. We are getting another Costco and Recreational Equipment, Inc. I always dream about being more active and when the dream comes alive, I will check the store out.

Another upcoming business is Hobby Lobby for when I’m feeling crafty, which admittedly doesn’t happen very often, but when it does, it hits hard.

The growth makes me inspired to go out and explore these places, and I welcome new additions to the town I grew up in.