MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Bass Pro Shops is getting ready to hire hundreds of people for the new Pyramid store, now that they know who’s going to run the place.

“Nobody comes to Memphis without seeing this building,” David Hagel, the new general manager, said. “The excitement has been brewing every since we started parking trucks out here.”

Hagel is currently the manager at the Bass Pro store on Macon Road.

The former Tomb of Doom is becoming the world’s largest sporting goods store. Yes, that includes a swamp and alligators.

After years of delay, the current opening date of May 1 looks solid. The store was scheduled to open in December 2014, but that was delayed for a series of reasons.

The company has spent at least $190 million in renovations plus $35,000 a month in rent.

Hagel said, “I have been meeting with architects and leads of contractors today. Yes they are ahead of schedule, what I’m hearing.”

Still, Hagel admits they aren’t in the clear just yet.

“I’m sure there are things that could inhibit us. But, at this point, we’ve filled it with everything you can think of and that’s our target date,” he said.

The store isn’t the only draw. The hotel, restaurants and bowling alley are also expected to open May 1.

Hagel said property owners in the Pinch District surrounding the Pyramid are watching this project closely before they pull the trigger on new development projects.

“As soon as we can get some traffic in this area, they are going to start doing their things,” he said.

Hagel joined Bass Pro 12 years ago and said this store opening will be his biggest.

The store will hold a job fair some time in February.