The Town of Innisfil is poised to take a giant step forward – what Innisfil Deputy Mayor Lynn Dollin has called a “transformation.”
After years of a physician shortage, and a lack of health services, the Town has partnered with Innisfil Health Partners Inc. and other care providers, including Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, to build the Rizzardo Health and Wellness Centre, now under construction near the intersection of Innisfil Beach Road and Yonge Street.
The two-storey 44,500 sq. ft. centre will house diagnostic imaging and lab services, family physicians, provide a permanent home for the walk-in clinic temporarily housed at the Innisfil Town Hall, and a range of other health-related services that include a pharmacy, dental care, naturopath, physiotherapist, mental health and addictions counselling, and Telemedicine office.
The centre is expected to open its doors in 2019. The projected cost? Just over $20 million – with $3.5 million to come from donations, through an ongoing capital campaign.
The husband and wife team of Sandra and Diego Rizzardo, of SanDiego Homes, led the way – pledging $2 million to the campaign, and giving their name to the Health and Wellness Centre. They have also reached out to the community, encouraging sponsorship of the new facility.
On July 28, SanDiego Homes hosted a fundraiser for the Health and Wellness Centre, at a show home on Webster Avenue. “It’s not fully-funded as yet,” explained Sandra. “There are still costs.”
The fundraiser, which included a bouncy castle, food trucks, live music, a door prize and fundraising raffle, raised at least $30,000 through sponsorships, with more coming in from the community. “Whatever people donate goes straight to the centre,” Sandra said.
She noted that the Health and Wellness Centre is “more than just health;” it’s also about community. “There’s two things that connect everybody – health, and the social aspects. This is both,” she said, an expression of Innisfil’s community spirit and values.
“I raised my kids here, and I want the same life for my grand kids,” Sandra said. “The one thing that was missing was health” – a gap that the Rizzardo Health and Wellness Centre will fill.
“It’s a game-changer for Innisfil,” said Dollin, praising the Innisfil Health Committee that did the research and laid the groundwork for the new centre, and who were “relentless in promoting health and wellness in Innisfil… Innisfil is undergoing a transformation.”
Dollin called the new centre “a one-stop shop for health and wellness,” with welcoming, safe public spaces – including a community kitchen that will provide educational opportunities - and a holistic approach to health that will include fitness “just steps away from the Recreation Complex and the Rotary Trail… This will make a difference to the community.”
The Rizzardos were also thanked by MPP for Barrie-Innisfil Andrea Khanjen, and MP John Brassard - who arrived from his own charity barbecue, that raised funds for a community centre for adults with special needs.
Brassard called the efforts of the Rizzardos “second to none,” and told them, “You are a big part of what makes Barrie-Innisfil a terrific community.”
Chief Administrative Officer of Innisfil Jason Reynar explained that no tax money is going into the centre, although $2.5 million of development charges levied on new development will be earmarked for the project.
Instead, the Town plans to use rental fees from the health care providers and partner businesses occupying space within the Rizzardo Centre to help cover costs of financing. And then there is the $3.5 million capital campaign: Reynar encouraged those wishing to make a donation to go to yourhealthinnisfil.ca to donate.
Diego noted that he and his wife recently travelled an hour to an appointment with their primary health care provider. The Centre, once it opens, will provide that same access “in five minutes” – allowing residents to access health care in their own community.
And Sandra thanked Innisfil Town Council for their support, and willingness “to make something come to life that we’ve thought of for many years.”
SanDiego Homes, founded in 1983, has been nominated by Tarion for the prestigious Ontario Home Builder of the Year award, and has built over 1500 homes in Alliston, Angus and Innisfil. The Rizzardos live in the Lakeside Innisfil community they built.
