Hub Staff

In hopes of raising more money for escalating yearly needs of up to $750,000 at the Southampton hospital, members of the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation (SMHF) presented the 2018 Gran Fondo “Big Bike” event to councillors May 23 and asked for their passion and excitement.

“Cycling is on the rise in popularity around the world and one of the areas where it doesn't happen is Bruce County,” said SMHF Executive Director Sally Kidson. “We want the Foundation to capitalize on that and bring it to the community,” she added.

The Gran Fondo would feature three different distances for cyclists: 25-30km, 75-90km and 160km, the last bringing it to the 100 mile mark in hopes of enticing riders to reach that milestone.

“Cyclists, they really want to do that 100 mile and that also opens up the attractiveness of the event to potential American riders who would be interested in that,” said Kidson. The SMHF will also market the event to Southern Ontario, Eastern Ontario and the province of Quebec.

“So this is a big event, big goals, big budget. Our expenses are over $100,000, our projected revenues around, $230,000 with a net profit to the Hospital Foundation of $130,000. Those are our goals,” she said.

The Gran Fondo Committee will see current SMHF Chair Jonna Ebel sit as Chair for the big ride event, joined by Sally Kidson and summer resident John Harding, a volunteer with SMHF, a cyclist and the Managing Director for RBC Capital Markets who hosts running events such as RBC Run for the Kids that takes runners down Yonge Street in Toronto. Also on the committee will be Jason Vurma of Multi-Sport Canada, in charge of everything from logistics to parking to waste cleanup.

Kidson admitted they are still in preliminary planning stages for the Gran Fondo that would tentatively take place during Shin Dig weekend, August 18 of 2018 August 18, 2018, but has spoken to Saugeen First Nation and the Town of Saugeen Shores regarding involvement.

In total the SMHF hopes to draw in 1,500 cyclists both from within Saugeen Shores and outside.