NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. -- A new clinic for veterans is coming to Pasco County.
- Pasco County getting a clinic for veterans
- New facility will include services from other locations
- Clinic is expected to open by 2021
The Department of Veteran Affairs has picked a location in New Port Richey for a facility that will provide more services in the area.
David Loaper is one of the thousands of veterans who call Pasco County home. He welcomes the new clinic because a trip to the VA centers in Tampa or St. Petersburg can be a long one.
"Roughly from here, it's 35 miles and a lot of veterans don't have the vehicles to get down there," Loaper said.
That's one major reason Republican congressman Gus Bilirakis supported legislation signed by former President Obama to expand VA clinics. Pasco County received $11 million to build a new one.
"Most of our veterans are very excited about it," Bilirakis said. "It will consolidate the services. And they like that the clinic is centrally located."
The new outpatient clinic will take the services of five other locations, including the current VA outpatient clinic in New Port Richey, and put them altogether in one central location.
The new location will house include a 114,000-square foot complex on Little Road near Ridge road. It's a central spot near bus stops that should make access easier.
"It's going to be a great asset to this community," Loaper said.
Construction is set to begin in 2019. Plans call for the new clinic to be opened by 2021.