The inaugural Halloween Fun Run took place on Sunday, Oct. 28 in Innisfil Beach Park to raise money for the new Rizzardo Health and Wellness Centre in Innisfil.
Despite chilly temperatures and a dusting of snow, costumed participants came out to run the five-kilometre route through the park and nearby side streets, or a 1K 'Trick and Cheat' route within the park.
“We’re here to dress up, we’re here to eat candy, we’re here to walk or run or stroll,” said Johnny Keogh, dressed up as Captain America. “But most of all we’re here to raise money for the Rizzardo Health and Wellness Centre.”
The centre, now under construction on the town’s campus land at Innisfil Beach Road and Yonge Street, will bring diagnostic imaging, front-line medical services and a connection to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre to residents of Innisfil.
It's expected to open in the spring of 2019.
The event had support from the Innisfil Rotary Club, which provided its inflatable start/finish line to help launch the Fun Run, and from key sponsor Canadian Tire, as well as from local politicians.
Local MP John Brassard was on hand to encourage participants, as were Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin, former Innisfil mayor Gord Wauchope, Mayor-elect Lynn Dollin and Councillor-elect Donna Orsatti.
Dressed in a bee costume, Dollin told those assembled: “Your support means so much to our community. Thank you for helping to bring health care close to home.”
She added: “Remember to ‘bee’ healthy and ‘bee’ happy.”
The Halloween Fun Run raised approximately $1,500 online, ahead of the actual Run/Walk, a total that was augmented by a donation of $500 from the Innisfil Professional Fire Fighters Association.
Presenting the cheque, firefighter Ryan Houlieff said his association had made the donation “because we think that health and wellness is important for the community, as well as for firefighters.”
The Town of Innisfil has set a fundraising goal of $3.5 million, to make the Rizzardo Health and Wellness Centre – a two-storey, 44,500-square-foot facility housing family physicians, a walk-in clinic, lab services, radiology, telemedicine and a community health hub – a reality.
The Halloween Fun Run has raised approximately $2,900 to date, but the Run will continue to take donations and pledges, until midnight on Oct. 31. To donate visit www.YourHealthInnisfil.ca.
