A glimmer in the wide eyes of hundreds became even brighter on Friday night while guests rode a Ferris wheel, tested out simulators and listened to Abraham Lincoln at the preview of the world's largest sports store.

The Sparks and Reno government and business representatives, as well as Scheels supporters and staff, were invited to preview thousands of merchandise items and features of the Legends at Sparks Marina's anchor store in a kick-off celebration.

After years of anticipation and vision by the community, Scheels opens to the public today at 9 a.m. The 235,000-square-foot store, with 85 specialty shops, is the first phase for Sparks' destination retail project, located near Interstate 80 and Sparks Boulevard.

"We are ready to roll," said store manager Larry Theis. "It's really overwhelming, though. I'm excited and relieved all at once. We made it."

The crowd perused the store as if they were exploring an amusement park, just as Theis predicted earlier this year, with excitement and giddiness. With five sports simulators, a laser shooting gallery and an indoor archery lane along with the 60-foot tall, 1930s model Ferris wheel that fills the store's main atrium, the environment was enticing to its first visitors.

Guests wandered around, enjoying the store's unique features, including an interactive wildlife experience on its second floor, a 35-foot-tall taxidermy mountain that features 12 different levels, lined with vegetation and about 200 animals native to Nevada.

"It'll give people an educational experience," said Jason Loney, vice president of store development. "Also, it'll give the outdoors man or woman an appreciation of what they're going to hunt."

On the first floor, two 16,000-gallon aquariums contain about 1,600 saltwater and freshwater fish caught the eyes of many. With the help of Sparks-based business Aquatic Display, the tanks will offer educational show-and-tell experiences for young kids and adults.

The Walk of Presidents features 14 lifesize American presidents, including Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and James Madison.

Scheels team members were on hand with smiling faces, glad to see their hard work already paying off.

"I'm in love with this company," said Helen Clement, gun room manager. "They treat people very well."

Sparks Mayor Geno Martini, one of the project's biggest supporters, remarked, "This is amazing. There is nothing else like it in the area. Just amazing. I have never been in a store like this."

Echoing Martini, city manager Shaun Carey reflected on the impact the store will have on Sparks at large.

"Absolutely stunning,"Carey said. "For a kid who grew up ... in Sparks, this is neat to see. A lot of hard work (has gone into the project) and (there's) a lot more to come. It's going to mean a lot for tourism. You can see how this would bring people in."

Sparks City Councilman John Mayer commented, "This is wonderful. This is the best thing that has happened to Sparks since the railroad. This is going to put Sparks on the map."

Washoe County Commissioner Bob Larkin said he was most impressed by the store's size and level of efficiency within its own company.

"The introduction of Scheels to northern Nevada is a feather in a cap," Larkin said. "When I took an early tour, what interested me the most was that it doesn't have a centralized structure. They have five full human resources departments and run autonomously."

Even Reno city officials predict Scheels and the Legends will have major regional significance for northern Nevada.

Reno Mayor Bob Cashell said Scheels will set Sparks apart and benefit northern Nevada.

"It's unbelievable," Cashell said. "It's absolutely amazing. Sparks went all out. They really knocked this one out of the park. ... This is right for the region."

The store has been under construction since fall 2006. At the Friday night presentation, the contractors of Legends, Q&D Construction, were thanked for their contribution and efficiency in overcoming various "hurdles," Theis said.

"The biggest part of this whole project is that the city of Sparks went the extra mile to make it happen," said Norman Dianda, president and owner of Q&D. "The site development was the biggest part (of the whole project). At the beginning we worked two 10-hour shifts per day. This is a signature project. It sets a new standard for Sparks and Nevada. It had its challenges but it is neat to see it done."

Scheels All Sports is the beginning of a $1.2 billion project, which is funded partially by city-issued bonds. According to city spokesman Adam Mayberry, the public investment will amount to 19 percent of the project costs. The city plans to issue Sales Tax Anticipated Revenue bonds totaling $156 million to help finance the Legends project.

The Legends is anticipated to attract 800,000 visitors to northern Nevada annually and generate $600,000 in taxable sales.

Traffic volumes on Saturday for the public opening are expected to be high. In preparation for Scheels and the Legends at Sparks Marina opening, Lincoln Way is now connected between McCarran Boulevard and Sparks Boulevard, providing direct access from Interstate 80 to Scheels.

Many local officials are hopeful that Scheels and the Legends will distinguish Sparks and northern Nevada as a unique tourist destination and to residents on the local front.

"Congratulations to Scheels, congratulations to the city of Sparks and congratulations to the state of Nevada," said Nevada State Sen. Maurice Washington. "Given the current economic climate, this is a great thing they are doing."