CANANDAIGUA —Richard Sands grew up with YMCA and learned early on the importance of the “Y” in the community from his parents Marvin and Mickey Sands.
At the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Sands Family YMCA on Friday, he shared how his parents taught Sands Family members the importance of doing everything they could to support the community that helped them. ..
Sands, Vice Chairman of the Constellation Brands Board of Directors and former CEO of the beverage giant, said:
The giant YMCA, scheduled to open in September 2023, is being built on land on North Street and North Bloomfield Road donated by Constellation Brands in Canandaigua. The facility features three studios for group exercises, multiple gyms, including one with a lawn, two pools, an indoor splash playground, and other features such as onsite medical services and a licensed child care center. included.
According to George Romell, President and CEO of YMCA at Greater Rochester, Canandaigua YMCA has a “heritage of incredible service” since it was founded here in 1905. Since 1959 — it will be the “destination” Y, Romel said.
“It’s really 21 YMCAst “Century,” said Romel. “It’s not just gyms and pools anymore.”
The Sands Family Foundation has donated $ 13.5 million. It will be used for construction, a two-to-one matching financing program, and some operational support.
The groundbreaking event happened on a bittersweet day for the Sands family. Several generations of the Sands family were attending the ceremony. Family patriarch Marilyn “Mickey” Sands died Thursday, but Richard Sands said she was a woman she loved so much and was excited about her new YMCA.
“Ys is important to the family and important to keep the family together,” Sands said. “I am very honored that this will affect so many lives.”
Family support and commitment to the project is incredible, Romel said, and without it no new facility would occur.
Inspired by gifts, others are also helping out with funding. Bill Goodrich, CEO and Manager Partner of LeChase Construction, which is building the facility, has announced a $ 500,000 gift as there are several other Y branches. Floyd Rayburn, President of FG Rayburn Mason Contractors, has donated $ 250,000.
“I hope this inspires others to step up,” Goodrich said.
The campaign plan includes a two-on-one match from the SandsFamily Foundation to raise $ 6 million to support the project.
Several speakers expressed the transformative aspects of the project in Canandaigua and mentioned the impact on families today and tomorrow.
Bob Parumbo, Mayor of Canandaigua, said four generations of his family have been using the YMCA facility for many years.
“It’s huge for our family and hundreds of families,” Palumbo said.
How about the current Y?
Canandaigua YMCA has been operating from the site of the former post office on the main street of Canandaigua since 1959. With the opening of the new Y in September 2023, more information is known about what will happen to the site.
According to George Romell, President and CEO of YMCA at Greater Rochester, Capstone Real Estate Development is in the final stages of acquiring the facility.
Capstone is behind Factory 243, a modern, urban-style loft apartment complex on the former Risk Manufacturing site on Gorham Street, Canandaigua. The developers also recently purchased the former Daily Messenger building on Buffalo Street.
There are no firm plans for future use of the old YMCA, but Romel said there would be no free space on the main street.
“I think it’s a victory for everyone,” Romel said.
