Scheels Grand Opening on Saturday

The huge Scheels sporting goods store opens this Saturday at the Legends at Sparks Marina, the inaugural business in a major new shopping mecca going up next to I80. According to what I've read about the place, Scheels is not merely another sporting goods emporium, it is an experience unto itself. Here are just some of the things the Scheels website says you will find inside - two 16,000 gallon aquariums, a wildlife mountain, customer tram, ferris wheel, shooting gallery, simulators for golf, hockey, and soccer, home decor and gift lodges, specialized shops for guns and hunting, fishing, running, and fashion sportswear. Just inside the main entry of the 295,000 square foot store, a full-size float plane swoops overhead and you will be greeted by a hall of fame display featuring great athletic moments from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Scheels and the Legends at Sparks Marina are located north of I80, between Sparks Blvd. and Sparks Marina Park. The City of Sparks has issued a press release advising people going to Scheels this weekend to be prepared for heavy traffic. They have published an online map of entrances to Scheels to help you choose an appropriate route. Store hours posted on the website say it opens at 9 a.m. on Saturdays. The local Scheels phone number is (775) 331-2700.

Check out Downtown Makeover for a look at artist drawings of this new shopping and entertainment zone. The builder, RED Development, has more information about the Legends at Sparks Marina project.