Glendale welcomes sports kingpin

West Valley sport fanatics may have a new mecca in Dick's Sporting Goods.

The store will have its official grand opening today at Arrowhead Towne Center in Glendale.

The 70,000-square foot sporting goods store is the sixth major anchor store at the mall, between Sears and Macy's.

Beginning at 8 this morning, guests will enjoy customer giveaways, balloon artists, face painters, a putting contest and many more festivities at the tailgate-themed party. There will be free gifts for the first 500 people and free hot dogs throughout the day, said Suzanne Victor, senior marketing manager for Arrowhead Towne Center.

Victor said Arrowhead management had always intended to bring another major store into the mall.

"We had the space for another anchor when the center was built in 1993," she said. "After redevelopment in 2004 we evaluated the market and with all the sports in the West Valley ... Dick's Sporting Goods fit."

The expansion of the Glendale area in recent years to include the professional sporting facilities Jobing.com Arena and University of Phoenix Stadium for the Coyotes and Cardinals, respectively, has increased the need for a sporting goods retailer in the area, Victor said.

"It brings a different customer to the center that we didn't have before," she said. "We're definitely expecting it to be very successful."

Dick's Sporting Goods sells equipment, clothing and supplies for team sports, outdoor sports, water sports, weight training and other recreational activities.

Normal store hours are 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.