New YMCA to be built in Canandaigua with $13.5 million gift from the Sands Family Foundation 

The YMCA announced Monday plans to build a new facility in Canandaigua thanks to a historic $13.5 million gift from the Sands Family Foundation. It is the largest single gift the Y has received.  

The gift represents $12 million for the construction of the new Y, with a 2:1 match for fundraising purposes, and up to $1.5 million in operational support. The goal is to raise $6 million in additional contributions to support the creation of the new facility 

In recognition of the gift, the facility will be named the Sands Family YMCA. 

The gift includes the donation of 13 acres of land from Constellation Brands at the corner of North Street and North Bloomfield Road, keeping the YMCA within the city limits of Canandaigua. 

Richard Sands, executive vice chair of Constellation Brands and chairman of the Sands Family Foundation, said the new facility would create more programming opportunities for people of all ages and allow the Y to expand its membership base.  

“It’s a wonderful community asset,” Sands said. 

The Sands family has been a long-time supporter of the Y, starting with Marvin Sands, founder of Constellation Brands, and his desire for his employees and their families to have a place to go for childcare and recreation. 

The 75,000-square-foot facility will include three studios for group exercise, multiple gymnasiums – one with turf – two pools with an indoor splash playground, a creator’s space and a teaching kitchen.  

In addition to spaces inside the facility, the Sands Family YMCA will allow space for a day camp outside, on-site medical services and a full day licensed childcare center. The overall construction costs are more than $24 million. 

Site work is expected to begin later this spring, with the new building slated to open in the fall of 2023.  

Jeff Friend, chairman of the board of the Canandaigua YMCA, said the Y is an integral part of the community, noting the project would not have happened without the support of the Sands Family Foundation.  

“We would be a lesser community without a YMCA,” Friend said. “It is the centerpiece of a strong community.” 

The YMCA is working with a developer to purchase the current YMCA building on North Main Street and reimagine it for future use. 

The Canandaigua Family YMCA has been in a management agreement with the YMCA of Greater Rochester since January 2020.  

The Boards of Directors for both organizations have unanimously approved a path forward, which will make the Canandaigua YMCA a branch of the YMCA of Greater Rochester. Legal documents are being prepared to submit to the New York State Attorney General. 

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