• Carson Now on Facebook
  • Follow Carson Now on Twitter
  • Follow Carson Now by RSS
  • Follow Carson Now by Email

VA Sierra Nevada to consider replacing, expanding Reno VA Medical Center

Looking at long term needs and a region that continues to grow, VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System will explore the potential to replace and expand the Reno VA Medical Center at a new location, Director Lisa Howard announced Thursday.

While the opportunity to replace the medical center is being looked at, the medical center’s largest capital investment, Project Nevada’s Heroes, which consists of significant demolition activities and construction of a new building on the main campus, is under reconsideration, said Howard.

Alternatives include potentially revising Project Nevada’s Heroes to advance the project toward completion, as well as concurrently accomplishing the study for the replacement medical center.

The region’s growth is highly likely to be sustained for some time. Reno VA needs to grow in concert with the community to meet increased Veteran health care needs, said Director Howard in a news release.

"Given hospital site constraints, along with the projected costs of necessary upgrades to operate at the existing location over the next 15 years, there is a strong justification for building a new medical center on an appropriately sized piece of property," she said. "We are excited VA is supporting a formal study to develop options for a potential replacement facility.”

VASNHCS fulfills its mission to Provide World Class Care and Service to America’s Heroes every day. To support the needs of today’s Veterans, the health care system will continue to renovate and improve its current facilities. The following construction projects will proceed as planned: north campus clinic (new site of care), intensive care unit renovation, new parking garage, radiology modernization, inpatient mental health improvements, and pharmacy compounding hood upgrade.

Ensuring patient safety and ease of access, while delivering high quality care to Veterans, are integral to operating a successful VA medical center. Director Howard further shared, “We are optimistic about exploring this new path, as a replacement medical center would directly support the VA’s vision to offer modernized care and services that are right for every Veteran, every time. We will also be exploring the opportunity to create a joint VA-UNR teaching hospital. We will elevate our care and services to the Next Level, while continuing to be an integral component of the northern Nevada Community.”

Over the coming months the formal study will be conducted. VA will share more information with Veterans and the community as the results of the study are determined. Visit the VASNHCS website here to stay apprised of construction activity.

Top Stories

... or see all stories

By state law, once Carson City’s population reaches 60,000 residents, they will be mandated to create a new courtroom complete with a new judge and staff.

However, that comes with a price tag of at least $800,000 in staffing alone — and doesn’t include the price to expand the courthouse.

Reno Tahoe Comedy is proud to present Bobcat Goldthwait at Piper's Opera house in Virginia City on Saturday, April 27. Since his first appearance on the David Letterman Show at the age of 20, Bobcat has gone on to maintain a thriving career as a writer, director, actor, voice actor and stand-up comedian.

The Nevada State Prison Preservation Society is once again offering tours to the community beginning in May and continuing through the month of October.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Carson City will host its first "Walking as One at 1" labyrinth walk on Saturday, May 4 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at 314 N. Division at Telegraph.

"Walking as One at 1" happens on World Labyrinth Day each year where participants across the globe engage in a labyrinth walk at 1 p.m. local time. This synchronized practice creates a 24-hour rolling wave of peaceful energy that passes from one time zone to the next across the world. The idea is to collectively contribute to a sense of unity and harmony.

The Carson City School District will host a quarterly Community Connections event next week, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, from 5:45-7:30 p.m. at Carson High School.

Carson Animal Services Initiative, also known as CASI, welcomes the community to enjoy an evening of great music, delicious food and wonderful live and silent auction items to support animals in need.

Earlier this month it was announced that Carson City’s Burlington Coat Factory would be closing. Rumors of a potential Hobby Lobby taking its place have now been substantiated.

The popular craft store applied for a permit for the location Wednesday, according to the Carson City Planning Division.

MINDEN — The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that it has published preliminary copies of the revised Flood Insurance Rate Map and Flood Insurance Study report for Douglas County and incorporated areas. These materials are available for public viewing on FEMA's website.

Hello fellow anglers. Yes, it is that time of year for the California opening day fishing season. This year we actually will have an opening day. Last year with our excessive snow pack, we were not able to get on many rivers until mid summer due to runoff.

Carson City Fire Department and multiple agencies will host the 2nd annual wildfire education and preparedness workshop for the community Tuesday, April 30.

Nevada Humane Society, Carson City branch Pet of the Week is Macy, a 6-year-old gal who has been at our shelter since the end of January. She was surrendered because her owner could no longer have animals.

Nevada State Museum staff invite all to contribute to a bee hotel this Saturday, April 20 as they celebrate Earth Day in Carson City. Participants are encouraged to contribute to the bee hotel, a nesting place for solitary bee friends, and learn about other ways you can help native pollinators.

Drawing on humor splashed with insight, nationally recognized syndicated cartoonist Brian Crane, also known as “Mr. Pickles,” packed the house as guest speaker Tuesday at the Carson City Senior Center.

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office would like to provide some tips related to online safety for juveniles. It is important for parents to know how to set up their children’s devices for several reasons.

Carson Area MPO

Carson Area Metropolitan Planning Organization has posted a draft "Local Road Safety Plan" for public review and comment. A Local Road Safety Plan is a method for developing a locally tailored framework for identifying, analyzing, and prioritizing roadway safety improvements.

While waiting in line I always carry along a little Kipling, mainly to call upon this one little snippet to sustain me, “If you can wait and not be tired by waiting.” I do love his epic little poem, “If.” That poem has helped me to maintain my balance on more occasions than I can count.

The Historic Fourth Ward School Museum in historic Virginia City is pleased to announce the much-anticipated third annual Victorian Tea Party and Historic Fashion Show, scheduled for Mother’s Day weekend on Saturday, May 11, 2024.

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit is proud to announce the addition of two new K9 teams. Our latest additions have just completed K9 school and are now deployed to the Patrol Division of the Sheriff’s Office. The addition of these two K9s maintains our service of seven dog teams, as we continue toward our organizational goal of eight K9 teams to provide full-time coverage for the Carson City community.

Lane reductions will take place Fridays through Mondays on U.S. 50 in Dayton beginning Friday, April 19 as the Nevada Department of Transportation replaces concrete barrier rail in the highway median.

The four Douglas County School District board members who have been front and center through controversy since being elected in November 2022 all pulled out of a decision to accept a settlement agreement on a Writ of Mandamus during their meeting last Tuesday.

The 42nd annual Chili on the Comstock returns to heat up Virginia City on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19. As a qualifier for the International Chili Society World Finals, guests can indulge in a diverse array of chili styles, from spicy to mild and chili verde, all expertly crafted by some of the finest chili cooks in the West.

The next Carson City Board of Supervisors meeting will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2024 beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Bob Crowell Boardroom of the Community Center, located at 851 E. William Street.

Two were arrested Monday for possession of stolen personal and business checks amounting to more than $555,000, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

Looking for a place to take your little ones this week? Look no further! Here is a list of family-friendly (and fun!) activities and events happening this week around the capital city.

Carson City Sheriff's Office deputies made four arrests on Monday for warrants and one arrest for alleged possession of drug paraphernalia, according to booking reports.

Common Ground Church Youth Group did volunteer work at Lone Mountain Cemetery in Carson City on Saturday to wrap lilac bushes with wire fencing in order to protect them from deer.

Carson City will be front and center Friday and Saturday, May 17 and 18, when it hosts the 2024 NIAA State Track & Field Championships at the Jim Frank Track Complex at Carson High School. The two-day event will draw more than 1,000 athletes (from four different classifications) and countless fans and spectators from across the state to the capital city.

Photo courtesy of Friend of the Nevada State Railroad Museum

The Carson City Historical Society hosts Adam Michalski, who will present a talk called "The Railroad and Carson City," on Thursday, April 18, at 6:30 p.m. in the Carriage House behind the Foreman-Roberts Historic House located at 1207 Carson Street, Carson City.

Carson City Community Development Director Hope Sullivan encourages all residents, business owners, and visitors to participate in the Land Use Master Plan Update Virtual Meeting on Thursday, April 18, at 5 p.m. More information about access to the meeting can be found at envisioncarsoncity.org.

Sand Harbor State Park will be the place to be Earth Day, April 22, for the inaugural "Shoreline Sweep" clean up event celebrating Lake Tahoe.