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North Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- A new VA Medical Center is set to open in North Las Vegas.

The $600 million facility will provide health services for thousands of veterans in Southern Nevada.

Friday, Action News received a sneak peak inside the facility.

"It's a monumental task but we're making great strides," said John Bright, director of the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System.

In 2006, a groundbreaking was held for the new VA Hospital. Fast forward six years, you have a one-million square-foot medical center equipped with 90 inpatient beds and a community living center.

"The veterans in Southern Nevada, for the first time ever, will have all new facilities, all new equipment. We will be a leg up on any other VA in the system," said Bright.

The new complex will provide specialty care, surgery, mental health services, rehabilitation and support programs.

"We send in excess of 2,000 veterans a year to Southern California, we will no longer have to do that," explained Bright.

"It's great that they can be taken care of up here, where they want to be," said Veteran Ryan Reeves.

Veterans, like Reeves, say they're appreciative for this new hospital.

"For the dedication we've had, it really shows us support when we come back home. I know at times I've needed it, so it's wonderful. It's great to see them step up for us," said Reeves.

The new hospital will eventually serve around 60,000 veterans living in Southern Nevada and surrounding areas.

"And as the economy comes back and people begin to move back to the Valley, then we expect to grow as well," said Bright.

The hope is to eventually build a medical school, near the hospital, and for more medical facilities to move towards the area.

A dedication ceremony is taking place at the VA Hospital Monday, August 6, at 9:30 a.m. with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The hospital is located at 6900 North Pecos Road in North Las Vegas.

Anyone is welcome, but organizers say space is limited.

The hospital will then open to patients August 14. It's opening up in phases, and will be fully operational by January 1, 2013.

The medical facility is the first VA Hospital built in the system since 1995.