This summer, Spencerport residents, and village visitors, may be able to enjoy the Erie Canal from a new perspective -- by canoe, kayak or pedal boat -- if the village board approves a proposal by Canalside Rentals to bring its recreational rental business here.

Canalside Rentals owner Kathleen A. Skinner brought her plan to the village board May 2. She said she hopes to operate from a floating dock attached to the boat dock across from Towpath Park. Board members expressed interest, and Mayor Theodore Walker asked for a more detailed site plan, and suggested she work through Village Administrator Al Scheg to have her request approved.

Skinner told board members she would like to add the Village of Spencerport to her growing list of locations. She has successfully operated Liftbridge Recreational Rentals in Fairport since 2000, and has gotten approval and endorsement from the New York State Canal Corporation to add more than 10 new locations.

Village officials in Pittsford, Macedon, Palmyra, Lyons, Seneca Falls and Waterloo have already given Skinner the go-ahead. She is hoping Spencerport will do the same, along with Holley, Brockport, Greece and Newark.

Canalside Rentals would operate weekends only from May until the school year ends in June, and then daily through Labor Day weekend, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. She said her business has been especially successful with youth in Fairport, and she plans to get local youth involved right away with special youth passes, race clubs and through schools, churches and community centers.

A custom-built removable shed would be built on the site, about five feet off the path, she said. Public access to the canal and to the existing dock would not be blocked. Canalside Rentals would regularly stock about 12 boats at the site, along with surf bikes, and bicycles with baby seats and child trailers.

Skinner said she hopes to provide a safe and fun way for people to enjoy Western New York’s canal system. "Canalside Rentals was established…to expose paddle and pedal sports to people of any age, race, sex or ability in a safe, friendly and beautiful environment," according to the vision statement.

The company owns more than 100 canoes and 100 kayaks which could be brought to the Spencerport site by trailer for special events like family reunions, company picnics, or community events.

Sample rental fees are $11 per hour for canoe, $12 per hour for kayak, $16 per hour for pedal boats and $10 per hour for bikes.

Additional hours are available at a discount, along with discounted "paddle/pedal passes," and various club rates. Skinner plans to offer discounted rates to Spencerport and Ogden residents. She also plans programs like a "Breakfast Club," which would include an early-morning paddle and breakfast at a local restaurant, and trips between villages on the canal using multiple types of rentals. "Just to feel a part of the community," Skinner said she will donate 50 cents of each rental to local organizations like the fire department or community centers. Last year the Fairport location donated $450.

Spencerport Trustee Theodore Rauber told Skinner it would be important for her to get involved with the local business community. Skinner said she plans to join the Spencerport Area Chamber of Commerce. Rauber said he thought boat rental would be especially popular during the Sunday concerts on the canal this summer.

Trustee Timothy Peer asked Skinner if the lack of visibility of the site from the main street would be a problem. Skinner said that has not hindered business in Fairport, where she is located behind the municipal parking lot.

Skinner assured officials she would not require electric or water at the site. She uses cellular telephones and puts solar-powered motion detecting security lighting on the storage shed.

Village Attorney Richard J. Olson requested copies of the environmental impact form filed with New York state, and proof of adequate insurance. Then he added, "The first nice day that I don’t have to wear a suit, I’ll be a renter. I think it’s a great idea."