A new MRI machine will soon be operational in Innisfil at the Rizzardo Health and Wellness Centre as the foundation was lifted into place on Tuesday. Two modular buildings are now located on the south side of the centre and will be connected to the new building to make way for the MRI machine. Crews were on scene early Tuesday morning and remained there for the day as the crews worked to place the two modulars together. Innisfil Mayor Lynn Dollin said the MRI machine will be an important asset to the community. “Health care closer to home, we’re big enough community, we’re the largest community not to have a hospital and this just gets us one step closer,” said Dollin. Gail Hunt, CEO of Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH), said the MRI machine will allow residents in this area more access to health care closer to home and part of it is all thanks to the community. “The actual purchase of the unit that’s attached to the building and the MRI itself is completely from donors through the foundation,” said Hunt. “So we’re very thankful for this community, for bringing this MRI and building here.” Currently RVH provides 24,000 MRI scans a year and once operating, the new machine will provide an additional 4,000 scans. “It’s going to be across the street from our future site of our health hub that will have an urgent care center and outpatient clinics,” said Hunt. “So this really starts to build up the capacity of that area and get us seeing patients that the largest population growth of the south end of the city, so we really need to start delivering services closer to home.” With the buildings now in place, the only thing missing is an MRI machine. “It looks real now, it feels real and we’re so excited to bring health care closer to home,” said Dollin. Residents will have to wait a few more months for the new machine as the MRI is expected to arrive near the end of November and be fully operational by the end of January 2027.
