Starting up a competitive AAA men's hockey team in Whitehorse is no easy task, as coach Randy Merkel knows all too well.

What makes it even more difficult, he told Whitehorse city council Monday evening, is the fund-raising at weekend games.

The team started the year with a vision that gate and beer sales would help pay for the ice time, travelling to Outside games and other costs it takes to keep a competitive hockey team like the Huskies going.

What he's learned, however, is that at least half of the potential beer sales are lost on most weekends because the Takhini Arena mezzanine, where beer sales happen, is rented out through the evenings Monday to Friday. With games generally being played Fridays and Saturdays, that leaves only Saturday's games to have a beer garden.

Not only does that mean losing Friday's beer sales, but also on gate sales, as Merkel has heard from a few people who opt not to go to the Friday games because there's no beer garden.

For many, coming to a game and having a beer or two between periods is all part of the experience.

The mezzanine, Merkel suggested, should be available for special events being held there from Friday to Sunday to allow groups such as the Huskies, minor hockey or others to host the beer gardens asfund-raisers.

"It's not just us that need the money,” he said citing other organizations that could make use of the beer gardens on a Friday night when it is otherwise available.

While he and others have contacted those renting the facility about the possibility of getting the mezzanine for the Friday night events, phone calls and e-mails have not been returned, he said.

There has only been one Friday night the team has been able to use the mezzanine for a beer garden since it started up again late last year.

While Merkel didn't have the exact figures on hand, he said there was a significant difference in the amount of cash that evening brought in over the other Friday evening games when the beer garden was not available.

While Merkel has e-mailed a request to the dog clubs renting the space to allow the Huskies to use the mezzanine during its next two games against the Fort St. John Flyers on March 19 and 20, he has yet to hear whether they will give up the space.

He also noted the best of five series against the Powell River Regals scheduled for April 1 to 5, to determine who will go to the Allan Cup, may also have similar issues.

Depending on how the series goes, games could spill over into Sunday and Monday, he said, noting the team could then face issues over the mezzanine space on both the Friday and the Monday.

He suggested the city isn't doing enough to support organizations that bring in people from Outside, such as hockey groups hosting tournaments and games with Outside teams.

"Please try to do something about it,” he said of the mezzanine situation, adding that he doesn't blame those renting the space for the conflict.

They are fed up with groups asking for the space on the weekends, he noted, going on to suggest the city rent it out only Mondays through Thursdays, leaving the weekends free for groups to use it for fund-raising.

"It only makes sense,” he said.

Merkel noted that if things don't turn around for the Huskies in terms of funding, there may not be a team next season.

Cleanliness issues over having dogs in the space that also serves food/beverage at other times has also come up as an issue, he and Coun. Ranj Pillai noted.

Pillai said in his involvement with minor hockey, he's also attempted to look at other spaces for the mezzanine user groups to rent, but has yet to hear back on that.

Coun. Dave Stockdale suggested that having the beer gardens would not end the team's financial woes.

"I know where your heart is,” he told Merkel, after pointing out there are many hockey teams in other communities that have struggled with or without the beer gardens.

While Merkel said Stockdale might be right, he stressed that wasn't the point he was trying to make. Other groups needing to raise money are looking to

use the mezzanine as well, he said.

The last time the Huskies played, he said, the ice bill alone was $1,450, and the group wasn't able to use the mezzanine.

Merkel conceded his club must do a better job of marketing, and is working to ensure their games are happening at the right time.

Originally, he said, the March games against Fort St. John were booked on the same weekend the Mustang minor hockey teams are out of town, the

schools' are on their March break and the Arctic Winter Games are happening in Grande Prairie, Alta.

While not all of those people would be going to the Huskies games, Merkel said the team has learned to view the calendar for other events or schedules

in the territory, and re-booked the tournament for March 19 and 20.

"There's no doubt we have our work cut out for us,” he said.

Council will consider Merkel's request.