The new, officially named, “David F. Winder Department of Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic” will soon be opening its doors. On Friday, March 21, the newly built community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC) in Mansfield will have its official grand opening at 11 a.m.
Vetarns Affairs (VA) Spokesperson Ashley Trimble said there will be a ribbon cutting followed by a brief ceremony. “Senators Portman and Brown are both expected to speak at the ceremony,” explained Trimble. Also attending the ceremony will be the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Director Susan Fuehrer.
The 24,700-sq.ft. facility on the corner of Trimble Road and Marion Avenue has remained on schedule throughout the building process, which was originally announced back in 2011. Local developer Richard McCready of the McCready Zupan Holding Co., LLC oversaw the construction.
“Everything has been completely on time,” said Trimble of the building process. “Not even the cold weather has slowed them down.”
The CBOC will be open and fully operational by March 26, though many services will start at the time of the grand opening.
Arnie Wasco of Mansfield is pleased with the look of the new building. “I got to see inside it, and the place is huge. I mean, they went all out, and it makes me feel good. The old location is crowded and depressing.”
The new building is more than twice the size of the old, with many more services being offered. It will serve six area counties.
Lois Carter of Crawford County is looking forward to the new facility. “I hate coming to this building,” she said outside the present facility on Park Avenue West.
“Everyone tells me the new place is so much nicer and bigger and we won’t be packed in like sardines,” she added. Carter wishes her husband was alive to see the new place. “He was very proud of serving his country and he would be so happy to see that our veterans are being taken care of.”
The Mansfield facility is one of 13 new Veteran’s Administration outpatient community clinics. According to the VA, the new expanded clinic will increase access, enhance services, and provide high quality healthcare to the more than 7,000 veterans. It will employ 100 people, adding 30 new jobs to the Mansfield area.
