MASSENA -- A local outdoor writer and photographer is interested in turning land at the end of Pontoon Bridge Road near the intake into a hunting dog training ground.

Tony Zappia wants to use land the town recently received from the New York Power Authority, Town Supervisor Joseph Gray said.

“It would be open for anyone at any time,” he said. “It doesn’t involve a dime of our money or the public’s money.”

Gray said Zappia isn’t the only one who thinks Massena is a good place to train hunting dogs.

He said a trainer from the south, who he didn’t name, is looking at leading 100 acres of land from June to August, when it’s too hot in the man’s hometown. He said hunters in the south will pay thousands to have their dogs professionally trained.

“There’s potential for economic development with dog training,” Gray said.