Kirkland Council Votes to Lease Former Church Site
The city shifts focus from a community center to the Kraken Community Iceplex project.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Latter-Day Saints
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The Kirkland City Council voted 5 to 2 to lease the former LDS church property to outside parties. This move halts plans to transform the site into a community center.
Why it matters
The city lacks the necessary funding to renovate the church property while simultaneously prioritizing construction of the Kraken Community Iceplex.
The city acquired the 3.28-acre property for $10 million in August 2026, despite an original asking price of $7.3 million. Officials had previously allocated $7.5 million for the planned community center renovation.
The players
Kirkland City Council
This is the governing legislative body responsible for making municipal policy decisions and managing the city budget.
Kraken Community Iceplex
This is a multi-purpose ice facility that serves as a hub for community skating programs and public recreation.
The details
City officials have redirected financial resources toward the Kraken Community Iceplex, which carries a total project cost of $60 million. The facility at 13220 N.E. 132nd St. will now be leased instead of undergoing the originally planned conversion.
Timeline
August 2026: The city purchased the former church property.
October 6, 2026: The city council voted to lease the property.
Fall 2027: The Kraken Community Iceplex is scheduled to open.
Culture Shift
The decision reflects a broader municipal trend where cities must reconcile competing capital projects within limited budgets. This prioritization often results in the deferral of local services to support large-scale recreational facilities.
Residents in the Kingsgate area will see their expected community center replaced by an leased site under new management. This shift means the immediate development of local municipal services at the church site is effectively off the table.
The takeaway
Cities often face tough choices when funding large-scale public projects alongside smaller local renovations. Residents should keep an eye on upcoming council budget reviews to understand how infrastructure priorities affect their neighborhood services.
What happens next
The Kraken Community Iceplex is on track to open in the fall of 2027.
Further reading
For more information on religious properties in the area, read our Latter-Day Saints section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Seattle Times.
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