YOUNGSTOWN - A new Veterans Affairs Clinic will open in Youngstown next week.

The VA has had a presence in Youngstown for nearly 30 years and is now expanding what they offer our community with a new and larger facility.

"First of all, it's built to suit. So this is a structure that was built from the ground up," said David Chmielewski, Chief of Community Outpatient Services. "For anyone that had been in the previous Youngstown Clinic, it was a modified bowling alley, to say the least."

The new location, 1815 Belmont Ave., Youngstown, Ohio 44504, is less than a mile from the clinic's current location on Belmont Avenue.

The new clinic is about 10- thousand square feet larger with all new state of the art equipment.

"From exam beds to the wall-mounted vital machines, everything is brand new," said Jose Salcedo, Associate Chief of Community Outpatient Services. "A lot of the equipment from the old facility was actually installed in the '90s believe it or not."

The additional space also improves the VA's ability to provide care including primary, mental health, and specialty services.

"We would encourage anybody who isn't a current user of VA services to reach out. We have more than enough space to accommodate all vets in this area that are interested in VA services," said Chmielewski.

The new facility opens its doors Wednesday, January the 20th.

"It's a beautiful facility and I can't wait to see the look on the first veteran's face as they walk through the door," said Salcedo.