Funds raised from the Gran Fondo Lake Huron will go towards the purchase of a new MRI machine to be located in the Owen Sound Hospital. This MRI machine services ALL of the Grey and Bruce Counties.
The new MRI machine will help reduce wait times, be able to perform more in depth tests and handle larger patients. Overall cost to purchase the MRI, carry out the renovations to house it and plan for the transition is $4.7 Million.
In addition, a portion of the funds raised will go towards diagnostic imaging software which helps to ensure that patient records and electronic images can be shared swiftly and securely with specialists and caregivers as needed. This technology comes with a high price tag and $150,000 is needed to do upgrades to the system at the Southampton Hospital to ensure your patient records are high tech, secure and transferrable as needed.
The Gran Fondo is a first of its kind FUNdraiser for the Saugeen Memorial Hospital in Southampton. From tots to adults, there is a cycling event for every level of fitness and endurance.
The 30km route, sponsored by SNC Lavalin, gives riders of any fitness level an opportunity to sample some of the best cycling that Saugeen Shores area has to offer. You will start with a loop through Southampton south to Port Elgin along one of the most scenic routes in Ontario – the shoreline of Lake Huron. From Port Elgin you track inland through beautiful farmland before returning to Southampton.
For those wanting a slightly more challenging ride, the 70km route, “Winding past Windmills” sponsored by RE/MAX Land Exchange, has a great balance of scenery and topography.
Again, after looping through Southampton and on to Port Elgin, the route jogs inland briefly before returning again to the Lake Huron shoreline and passing the lush forests of MacGregor Point Provincial Park. Riders will then traverse some rolling terrain heading east to the Saugeen River Valley along beautiful winding roads along the Saugeen River and back to Southampton.
“Pretty in Paisley”, sponsored by the Society of United Professionals, is a 110km ride that offers a variety of mixed terrain. Beginning in Southampton to Port Elgin and along the shoreline, riders will pass by Bruce Nuclear site and turn east toward Tiverton where riders will have their first rest stop. From there, the route heads north and then east along the Bruce Saugeen Townline Road on the way to Paisley located at the convergence of the Saugeen and Teeswater Rivers.
In Paisley riders will experience a warm and friendly rest stop hosted by Abraflex in the Paisley Annex. before following the Saugeen River valley back to Southampton. “We are very pleased to have Abraflex host our Paisley Rest Stop off-site at the Paisley Arena,” says Hospital Foundation Executive Director Sally Kidson. “Cyclists will enjoy walking along the edge of the river, wandering over the scenic bridges and possibly visiting the bakery during their 70, 110 or 160 rides. Having someone local from beautiful Paisley ensure that the rest stop will feature something unique for our cyclists.”
The 160km ride is a “Bruce County Bucket List’ maker. Sponsored by Bruce Power, the route offers amazing scenery and and well-supported rest stops – as well as bragging rights amongst your fellow cyclists. The route hits many notable stops throughout southwestern Bruce County including Sauble Beach, Saugeen First Nation, Port Elgin, Tiverton and Paisley finishing beachside in Southampton.
What will make this ride a truly memorable experience is the country hospitality and amazing support you’ll receive throughout the event, complete with an early morning rest stop at Saugeen First Nation.
The Trek Domane ALR 3 is an ‘endurance’ style road bike that is great for recreational riding on asphalt and hard- packed concession roads. It is both comfortable and versatile with quality Shimano and Bontrager components on the always well-built Trek frame.
Register for the Gran Fondo Lake Huron and win this incredible bike donated by Martin’s bicycle shop. Every $500 raised for the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation will be one ballot in the draw at the After Ride Picnic on August 19th .
If you have registered for the ride already, thank you! If not, please consider registering today and help us purchase this much needed equipment.
Every single fundraising dollar goes towards the medical equipment. ALL costs to put on the ride are covered through sponsorship and registration fees.
