The Kraken Are Building Their Kingdom in Kirkland, and It's Going to Change the Eastside

This is huge for hockey fans on the East side of the lake. The Seattle Kraken and City of Kirkland just announced a public-private partnership that's going to bring a brand new Kraken Iceplex and community center to town, and it's happening faster than you'd think. City council greenlit this back in December with Resolution R-5704, but now the team is locking in financing to actually make it happen.

What You're Getting

This isn't some small rink tucked behind a strip mall. The facility is going to have two full NHL-regulation ice rinks, a city-run community center, a full-service restaurant, a team store, and space for youth programs and community events all year round. Think of it as a destination, not just a building. The setup is designed to bring in revenue without raising taxes on Kirkland residents, which is the kind of win-win that usually only happens in theory.

Here's what's cool for everyday fans: residents get two hours of free open skate every month, and discounted programming for low-income families through the One Roof Foundation. The city also gets to keep control of the whole thing. After a 34-year lease, Kirkland owns it outright. That's smart municipal planning right there.

The Economic Play

The numbers matter too. This project is projected to generate $7 million annually for Kirkland and the Eastside, plus create local jobs and pull visitors to nearby businesses. City officials think it could even spark more development in the Northeast 85th Street station area, turning it into a real walkable, transit-oriented district.

Construction kicks off in late spring 2026, right after the temporary Houghton Park and Ride closes in May. The whole thing should be ready to go by fall 2027, which means we're not waiting years for this to actually open its doors.

For Kraken fans and hockey players across the Eastside, this is the kind of infrastructure investment that changes how a sport grows in a region. Two rinks. A real community center. A restaurant. This is about building the future of hockey in the Seattle area, one blade at a time.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.