Plans for new Canandaigua YMCA moving forward. Where things stand
CANANDAIGUA — Plans for a new 82,000-square-foot YMCA building in Canandaigua are moving forward following a public hearing last fall.
The City Planning Commission granted approvals in October for the modern YMCA campus to be built at the corner of North Bloomfield Road and North Street in the city. The facility will replace the existing Canandaigua Family YMCA site on Main Street.
The approval follows reviews for a minor subdivision — dividing the parcel off from Constellation Brands Inc. property — as well as a special-use permit, site plan, and architectural features.
The new Y on land adjacent to, and owned by, Constellation Brands, will offer all the amenities of the existing Canandaigua Family YMCA, such as a swimming pool, wellness center and courts, in addition to new features and more space inside and out. The main entrance will be on North Street, with a secondary entrance on North Bloomfield Road.
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Developers presented plans in September that will accommodate an additional 75 children for child care and offer an adventure zone, child watch area, and space for outdoor sports fields. The new Y is also designed to house medical services with a partner to be announced. Similar to what is offered in modern YMCA facilities in Pittsford and other areas in the region, these onsite medical services would put health care providers inside a section of the building.
“The new building looks great,” Mayor Bob Palumbo said Tuesday, referring to renderings that illustrate the finished structure and grounds. He mentioned additional services the new Y will provide, along with the space and design that improve access and parking space lacking in the current facility at 32 N. Main St.
"It would have been great if it could stay on Main Street, but that was not feasible. All in all, this is a plus for the community,” Palumbo said, noting its proximity to the Greater Canandaigua Civic Center and town parks.
“It’s in a recreation area, so that’s nice,” he said.
Palumbo added he is glad to see the Canandaigua Y staying in the city. “It should be another bright spot for Canandaigua,” he said.
The current Y, in a 60,000-square-foot building, is housed in an expanded version of a historic former post office downtown.
“There is interest in the building,” said Palumbo. The city is not directly involved in discussions, as negotiation is going on between the YMCA, which owns the building, and interested parties, the mayor said.
According to Rick Brown, the city’s director of development and planning, the city has no timetable for the project. “We are waiting for the developers to submit for a building permit,” Brown said in an email.
“There is still a lot of work that needs to be done, but we will share details when we can,” said Ashley Doerzbacher, communications manager for YMCA of Greater Rochester, in an email. The “Canandaigua Y continues to be in a management agreement with the YMCA of Greater Rochester.”
At the Canandaigua Y, Jason Gottfried, director of operations, provided a statement:
“The Canandaigua Family YMCA continues to work to finalize plans for a new YMCA we anticipate being located at North Bloomfield Road and North Street.
"We have great partners working alongside us to ensure our vision becomes a reality for the residents of the greater Canandaigua community.”
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Plans for new Canandaigua YMCA moving forward
