Kirkland Will Build New Iceplex by Fall 2027
The city has partnered with the Seattle Kraken to develop a 12,500-square-foot ice facility in Kirkland.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Hockey
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Kirkland will transform the former Houghton Place Park and Ride into a dual-rink iceplex in a partnership with the Seattle Kraken. The new facility is scheduled to open in the fall of 2027.
Why it matters
This project offers new recreational opportunities without relying on general tax funding after a previous levy measure failed. It mirrors growth seen at the Northgate Kraken facility, which expanded from six to 42 youth teams since 2021.
The proposed 12,500-square-foot facility will house two NHL-regulation ice rinks. The project utilizes a site previously purchased by the city from the state.
The players
Kirkland
This city is the primary municipal authority overseeing the development of the new iceplex and community center.
Seattle Kraken
This professional NHL franchise has entered a public-private partnership to fund and develop the facility.
The details
The facility will feature two NHL-regulation ice rinks alongside a restaurant and a team store to serve local ice sports enthusiasts. By utilizing a public-private partnership, the city aims to bypass traditional taxation methods to deliver the new community space.
Timeline
The Northgate Kraken facility opened with six youth teams in 2021.
The new Kirkland iceplex is expected to open in the fall of 2027.
Season Trajectory
The Kirkland development follows the model set by the Northgate Kraken facility, which grew from six to 42 youth teams. This expansion indicates a broader regional shift toward increasing ice sports capacity to meet rising demand for youth hockey programming.
Residents can anticipate the addition of two local NHL-regulation ice rinks that will expand capacity for youth hockey teams. The facility provides an alternative to previous failed levy measures by shifting project funding to a public-private partnership.
The takeaway
The city hopes to welcome fans to the new facility around October 2027. This project serves as a test case for how municipalities can utilize private partnerships to fund major recreational infrastructure.
Further reading
For more on the regional expansion of ice sports, visit Hockey.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KUOW-FM (94.9, Seattle).
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