MASSENA — Dick’s Sporting Goods is advertising on its company website for a golf pro to work in the chain’s yet-to-be-opened Massena store.

While the help-wanted ad seems to indicate the chain is planning to open a Massena store, St. Lawrence Centre officials say a contract between the mall and Dick’s has yet to be finalized.

“It’s close, but they’re still going through negotiations and finalizing details,” said Ronald J. Patnode, the mall’s marketing manager. “We hope to have something to announce soon.”

Mr. Patnode said it’s not unusual for businesses to advertise for jobs they don’t plan to fill immediately, especially ones that they think may take a long time to fill.

“I’m not saying that’s what Dick’s is doing, but that’s a common thing for businesses to do,” Mr. Patnode said.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the only position Dick’s was advertising for was the golf professional/apprentice.

With the opening of Shoe Dept. Encore last week and an announcement from Dick’s likely on the horizon, 2013 could be a very good year for the mall.

“Hopefully, when this Dick’s deal is done, there will be others that follow suit,” Mr. Patnode said. “That’s our hope and expectation.”

According to designs for the store, the plan is for Dick’s to build a 49,255-square-foot store and occupy the space previously filled by T.J. Maxx.

Mr. Patnode had said previously that the space Dick’s is looking for is larger than the T.J. Maxx location. To accommodate the needs of Dick’s, the mall would expand the space into the common area. Mr. Patnode said an exterior entrance for the store would be built.

A call to the chain’s media relations department was not returned Wednesday afternoon.

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