MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Crews were scrambling to make sure the Bass Pro Pyramid is ready Wednesday night.
After years of delays and millions of dollars, the pyramid was still not perfect.
The pressure was on General Manager David Hagel.
With less than 25 hours until the grand opening, workers could almost hear the clock ticking.
Outside the pyramid, construction crews worked on landscaping Tuesday afternoon.
Inside, team construction and training was underway.
Further inside, crews furiously stocked shelves, cleared walkways and brought in alligators for the swamp.
“There are still a lot of final touches,” Hagel said. “They’re going to be working overnight with final touches.”
Sparks were still flying and hardhats were everywhere you looked.
Hagel said even after Wednesday’s opening, there would still be plenty of work left.
“This is a city, and just like a city has constant maintenance and work. John’s vision of this place, it’s going to evolve constantly,” Hagel said.
Memphian and Manager of Uncle Buck’s restaurant Christopher Johnson said the pyramid will provide opportunities for the entire region.
“We want it to be something Memphis hangs its hat on, that Memphis is proud of and brings tourism, additional tourism dollars into the state, brings additional tourism into the city,” he said.
They said it would be tight getting everything done, but it would be worth it once they cut the yellow tape.
“When they walk through the doors, hopefully their mouths drop open, and they see what they’ve been waiting for,” said Hagel.
The grand opening event will be Wednesday at 6 p.m.
A ribbon cutting will be held at 6:30.
