ST. CLOUD -- A multi-phase construction project continues at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center campus as officials respond to growing demand for services.

The projects will allow for more patients and greater efficiencies.

The VA just opened a new Acute Psychiatric Unit in March.  The new facility freed up space in Building 28 to add 23 more beds for their Residential Rehab Treatment Program. When completed in 2017, the VA's RRTP will have 171 total patient beds.

St. Cloud VA spokesman Barry Venable says there is also a new 19,000 square foot Rehabilitation Center under construction which should open this winter.  The new building will allow for more technology, treatment space and easier access for patients.

Construction is also underway on a new 18,000 square-foot kitchen.  The construction of the new kitchen will allow the VA to expand its Primary Care Center in a centralized location.

Venable says the VA campus hasn't seen a major renovation in decades.  He says many of the buildings are "bursting at the seams".  The St. Cloud VA set a new record last year by seeing more than 39,000 patients, and Venable expects those numbers to continue to grow.

Many of the projects are still a year or more away from completion.

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