Celebrating $1 Million of Impact

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 region’s premier cycling event marked its 10th and final year under NewRoads in 2025, but not before achieving one last incredible milestone.

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

In January 2026, Jennifer Ritter, President and CEO of Southlake Health Foundation, along with members of the Southlake Health Foundation Team, attended a NewRoads Town Hall to express Southlake’s immense gratitude to the entire NewRoads Team. Southlake presented Michael Croxon 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 decade, we have seen the NewRoads LakeRide grow and inspire cyclists across the region to fundraise and ride to improve the health of our communities. That impact is felt across our hospital, but nowhere more acutely than in our Mental Health Program, where the compassionate support of NewRoads has transformed care. We are so grateful to the entire NewRoads Team for the commitment, enthusiasm, and support they have demonstrated for Southlake Health,” said Jennifer Ritter.

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 patients experiencing a mental health crisis who require urgent support. Then, in 2023, the new 12-bed Adult Inpatient Mental Health Unit opened, increasing mental health care capacity for Southlake and providing 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 inpatient 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. 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.”