Veteran's guesthouse begins construction

The effort to build a new Veteran's Guest House is finally bearing fruit.

Ground was broken last week on the 4,717-square foot guesthouse for families of veterans who are receiving treatment at the nearby Veteran's Hospital.

To get the project under way, the Veterans Hospital Foundation Inc., a non-profit organization that oversees the guesthouse's operations, raised the initial $300,000 of the over $1 million total estimated project cost.

The Veteran Hospital Foundation's current president, Rand Tanner, said the organization would gladly accept any contribution from any members of the community to make sure the project is completed.

"We still need an additional $800,000 to pay off the loan, hopefully within the next five years, and another $1 million for our own endowment," Tanner said.

Since 1994, the existing house has served as a haven for families and veterans who can't afford to stay at a hotel.

When the aging home located at 880 Locust St.

in Reno, became inadequate for a growing number of guests, the foundation determined that the best option was to demolish it and build a new home in its place.

Construction of the new guesthouse will take five to six months.

The foundation hopes it will be ready by Nov.

11 for a Veteran's Day ceremony to commemorate the opening.

Q&D Construction is leading the construction effort.

Duane Boreham, project manager of Q&D said that Hershenow + Klippenstein Architects, the house's designer, as well as a number of subcontractors have donated their services, which helped reduce the cost of the project by about $300,000.

"The community support for this project has been phenomenal," Boreham said.

Some of the subcontractors on the project are Peterson Construction, RHP Heating Products, Action Electric, Take It For Granite, D&D Roofing and Sheet Metal and Western Nevada Supply.

When completed, the three-level house will house 14 guest beds as well as larger dining and social areas.

During construction, Gold Dust West Casino-Lodge is providing temporary housing for those in need.

For more information on the guest house, call 324-6958 or visit their web site at www.vetsguestreno.us.