FAIRPORT, N.Y. — The state of New York aims to use the Canalway year-round, but a local project by Brian Stancampiano to bring hockey to the Erie Canal has drawn legal threats.

Stancampiano, who is experienced in building backyard rinks, started a skating project on the canal inspired by the Rideau Canal in Ottawa. However, he received a voicemail from the New York Power Authority last week threatening legal action for trespassing and “putting lives in danger.” An email from the authority labeled his activities as “dangerous” and warned that police would be involved if he didn’t stop.

“Needless to say it was concerning. It seems awfully heavy handed,” Stancampiano said.

News10NBC’s Chief Investigative Reporter, Berkeley Brean, reached Stancampiano while he was in Florida. When asked if he stopped going on the canal, Stancampiano said, “Well, I’m out of town. I’ve ceased. I haven’t done any activities.”

Before the state threats, Berkeley met Stancampiano on the canal ice in January. “I call it magic,” Stancampiano said about skating and playing hockey there.

Stancampiano envisions a winter festival at Perinton Park with a skating rink on the tennis courts and skating on the canal if it’s cold enough. “It requires a lot of community education, it requires a lot of stakeholders to agree that it’s possible,” he said. “I believe it is, unquestionably.”

Berkeley noted that there are no “No Trespassing” signs along the canal in Fairport and evidence of other people using the canal, such as ski tracks and people playing hockey at different locations. Berkeley contacted the Power Authority for information on cease and desist letters, the presence of “No Trespassing” signs, and penalties for trespassing.

Stancampiano has not yet hired a lawyer. “I haven’t gone there yet. I’m hoping it can be worked out and logic would prevail if we had the right stakeholders all working together,” he said.

Stancampiano presented his winter festival idea to local leaders last summer. While they liked the idea, they expressed concerns about the amount of work and money involved. The winter of 2023 was so warm that there were likely only four days of outdoor skating, according to consensus.

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