Southlake Health Foundation recognizes the incredible impact of the NewRoads LakeRide on leading edge care, close to home

Every September, for the last decade, cyclists from across northern York Region, southern Simcoe County, and beyond, have gathered for the highly anticipated NewRoads LakeRide event. Hosted by the NewRoads Automotive Group, and championed by President Michael Croxon, the premier-cycling event of the region marked the 10^th and final year of event hosted by NewRoads in 2025, but not without achieving one last incredible milestone.

Through participant fundraising, and the caring support and leadership of NewRoads Automotive Group, the NewRoads LakeRide achieved $1 million in fundraising over the 10-year span of the event. Funds raised have supported leading edge care across Southlake Health, but most recently, helped to transform care in Southlake’s Mental Health Program.

Earlier in January, President and CEO of Southlake Health Foundation, Jennifer Ritter, along with members of the Southlake Health Foundation Team, attended a NewRoads Town Hall to express the immense gratitude of Southlake to the entire NewRoads Team. NewRoads Automotive Group President, Michael Croxon, was also presented with a custom cycling jersey to recognize his philanthropic leadership and ongoing support of Southlake.

“Our partnership with NewRoads Automotive Group, through the thoughtful and generous leadership of Michael Croxon, has been a point-of-pride for Southlake Health. Over the last 10 years, we have seen the NewRoads LakeRide grow and inspire cyclists across the region to fundraise and ride to make an impact on the health of our communities. That impact is felt across our hospital, but none as acutely as in our Mental Health Program, where care has been transformed through the compassionate support of NewRoads. We are so grateful to the entire NewRoads Team for the commitment, enthusiasm, and support they have demonstrated for Southlake Health,” said Jennifer Ritter, President and CEO of Southlake Health Foundation.

Funds raised through the NewRoads LakeRide have helped ensure patients relying on Southlake’s Mental Health Program have healing environments to meet their unique needs and support their recovery. In 2020, the NewRoads Automotive Group Emergent Mental Health Assessment Unit opened – a dedicated unit with six private assessment rooms for those patients experiencing mental health crisis and requiring urgent support. Then in 2023, a new 12-bed adult inpatient unit opened, enabling increased mental health care capacity for Southlake and purpose-built, expanded healing spaces for patients. Spring 2026 will see Southlake open a new patio for the program – a first ever outdoor space to support in-patient recovery.

“As a psychiatrist caring for patients in Southlake’s Mental Health Program, I know the important role that a peaceful and healing environment plays in enabling a patient to recover,” said Dr. Gaurav Mehta, Physician Leader of Southlake’s Mental Health Program. “Patients in our communities who come to us for care are benefiting from our improved and expanded spaces, like the NewRoads Automotive Group Emergent Mental Health Assessment Unit. These light-filled, purposefully designed spaces are tailored to meet the needs of mental health patients and we’re so appreciative of our partners at NewRoads and participants and donors of the NewRoads LakeRide over the last 10 years for making this a reality for Southlake.”