Dick's Sporting Goods is the latest national chain to step up to the plate in the competitively growing retail market in State College.

The 30,000-square-foot retail outlet — located next to Target in the Colonnade shopping center — is set to open March 24.

After having store officials survey the area for several years, Vice President of Marketing Jay Mininger said the prospects of setting up shop in State College proved to be too attractive to decline.

"We've looked at the market for a number of years and it's always been a desirable place," he said, noting the appealing "cross-section" of Centre County.

"We think it'll be a good, strong market," he added.

A combination of strong sports fanaticism and an ever-growing awareness of physical fitness in the region also contributed to the store's moving in, said store manager Scott Feaster.

"It just proved to be demographics," he said. "The area is growing and . . . is totally sports-minded. It's a perfect match."

Patton Township Zoning Officer Ken Soder agreed with Feaster's assessment.

"State College has always been growing," he said. "It's just that it's becoming more noticeable now.

"It's been a town that's been able to withstand economic downturn," he said.

The large sporting goods chain -- based in Pittsburgh -- was founded in 1948 and maintains a network of 125 stores in 24 states -- some as far-reaching as Topeka, Kansas.

The store will employ between 50 and 70 employees, Feaster said.

Area residents concerned about increased traffic on Atherton Street that might result from the addition of Dick's should not fret, Soder said.

"I know that through the construction of new stores, there's always traffic studies that are done to make sure congestion is not a problem," he said. "There's a considerable amount of improvements in those areas such as Colonnade, with the widening of turning lanes and the use of more stop lights."

Feaster, who said anxious customers have already begun crowding the store's front doors inquiring about progress, was especially confident about the business' economic outlook.

"I think it's going to explode."