Local dog clubs are continuing their call for the city to let them – at least temporarily – use the Takhini Arena's mezzanine despite a change prohibiting non-service dogs from city-operated facilities.

Representing the Whitehorse Woofers Club, Yukon Kennel Club, Yukon K9 and others, Andrew Richardson issued the request in a presentation at Monday night's council meeting.

Last August, the groups made the same request.

The city stood by its decision, offering instead to fund a facilitator with the goal of the groups finding other space in the city to train the animals.

The initial request came after the city began banning dogs (except for service animals) from city-run facilities at the end of April.

That deadline was an initial extension to the ban that was originally set to start in January.

The groups had used the mezzanine for 20-plus years.

As council learned Monday night, since September, dog clubs in the city have formed a committee tasked with finding a new location to do their training and offer classes.

Most efforts, however, have led to the same conclusion: space that's available is either not suitable for the training or too expensive.

Potential exceptions have been found in an Alexander Street location as well as at the Kopper King tavern property on the Alaska Highway.

The K9 And Company group has been operating out of the Alexander Street location, and it may serve for basic obedience training.

However, the pillars in the facility are a detriment to agility training and could be dangerous, Richardson said when asked about it by Coun. Kirk Cameron.

There's also very little storage space. That's a "huge inconvenience” when it comes to equipment that would have to be carried in and out each time a group uses the space.

The space is also less than ideal for tenants living in the apartments above. They have to endure the sound of barking dogs during class times, he pointed out.

As for the Alaska Highway location, Richardson said it's been more than two months since there have been any discussions on that possibility.

There's a question of whether the landlord has any interest in having the dog groups as tenants.

In seeking the temporary exemption, Richardson argued the groups have never seen the policy prohibiting dogs from city facilities.

Anytime they've sought an explanation, he said, the reasoning seems to depend on the person they're getting the answer from.

Vague responses about health concerns, food preparation and accessibility have all been offered up from various city officials.

Cameron, however, said he recalled a few compelling reasons why dogs were no longer allowed in the buildings.

"They were fairly significant issues,” he said, pointing to the dogs coming into contact with kids as one example.

Cameron wanted to ask administration for those reasons

Mayor Dan Curtis, however, stated his concern that such a question would appear as an argument or debate when council is in the information-gathering phase.City officials couldn't answer the question Monday night.

They have previously cited health and safety reasons ranging from allergies to dog hair getting into the duct work and spreading throughout the building. They have also mentioned that animals come into contact with others entering and exiting the arena.

Richardson noted the issue of direct contact between dogs and others at the rink could be solved by having the dog groups entering and exiting through the side door.

The dog groups have never been made aware of any severe allergy issues nor health concerns from the animals being in the rink for training, he added.

Linda Rapp, the city's acting director of community and recreation services, told council the decision stemmed from the Indoor Facilities Operation Policy adopted in 2011.

While it doesn't speak specifically to dogs, it looks at the overall "public good” in operating its facilities, Rapp said.

Throughout his presentation, Richardson also stressed the benefit of dog training programs.

As he noted, anyone in the city who wants to have three dogs has to pass the Good Neighbour Test with the city's bylaw department. It's the dog groups which provide that training, he pointed out.

”I think dog training is a good community service,” he said.

He also noted the approximately $30,000 each year in rental fees from the dog groups the city is losing with the mezzanine often sitting empty except for when there are special events happening at the arena.

After his presentation, Curtis assured Richardson council will look at the issue and its history as it considers where to go on the matter.

"I don't have all the information, quite frankly,” the mayor said.