LAS VEGAS — Local leaders, veterans advocates, and community representatives gathered Wednesday to mark the start of construction on the new Nevada State Veterans Memorial, a project designed to honor generations of Americans who have served in the U.S. military.
The memorial will be built at the Thunderbird Family Sports Complex, located at 6105 N. Durango Drive just north of Tropical Parkway in Las Vegas’ Centennial Hills neighborhood. The groundbreaking ceremony celebrated not only the start of construction, but also the relocation of the memorial to a more spacious and accessible site.
City officials said the memorial was moved from its former location at the Grant Sawyer State Building after that facility closed. While state offices relocated to a new complex near Harry Reid International Airport, officials determined the surrounding grounds there were not large enough to accommodate the full memorial.
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The redesigned memorial will prominently feature 18 bronze statues, each standing approximately 7.5 feet tall, that were originally commissioned in 2011. The statues collectively represent American military service spanning from the Revolutionary War to the present day, preserving the historical legacy established at the Grant Sawyer site.
In addition to the statues, plans for the new memorial include an open-air promenade, an amphitheater for ceremonies and public gatherings, and informational signage detailing Nevada’s military history and the sacrifices of its service members. The expanded layout is intended to create a space not only for remembrance, but also for education and community events.
The City of Las Vegas is partnering with the State of Nevada and the Mayor’s Fund for Las Vegas LIFE to deliver the project. Officials said the memorial carries an estimated budget of $7.69 million, reflecting both the relocation of existing artwork and the construction of new amenities.
Once completed, the Nevada State Veterans Memorial is expected to serve as a permanent gathering place for commemorations, educational programs, and public reflection, while offering improved visibility and accessibility for residents and visitors alike.
Originally reported by Matthew Seeman in News.3lv.
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