The recently opened sports store welcomes shoppers with a 16,000 gallon, 43 foot wide aquatic entryway. This is the fourth custom aquarium project to be completed for Scheels by Reynolds Polymer in collaboration with project designer ICM. The project involved a total of 25,000 pounds of R-Cast® material. When filled with water, the structure tips the scales at a monumental 120,000 pounds.
The tank’s double-arch design is supported by three transparent columns. Though the columns are constructed from acrylic that is only 2.5” thick, they are still 17 times stronger than glass and four times stronger than concrete. Inside the aquarium, elaborate rockwork and theming replicate the natural habitat of over 650 species of coral reef. Scores of colorful fish complete the exotic ambience of the display. At seven-feet wide, and 13-feet tall, the aquarium must be cleaned by an underwater diver, which is often to the delight of curious shoppers.
The first indoor aquarium built for Scheels was in 2008 at the Sparks, Nevada location. RPT has also provided acrylic for stores in Sandy, Utah and Springfield, IL. These and other attractions that can be found in Scheels stores, such as sports simulators, a 65-foot tall Ferris Wheel, and shooting galleries have helped to secure the company’s place as a premiere sports retailer
