The Kraken Just Built Seattle's Ice Hockey Future, and It's Opening in Kirkland

The Seattle Kraken and the City of Kirkland just made it official: there's a massive two-rink facility coming to the Eastside in fall 2027, and it's going to change how hockey grows in this region. Wednesday's announcement confirms what fans have been waiting for since late 2023. The Kraken Iceplex, Kirkland and Community Center breaks ground in May and opens in the fall of 2027 at the former Houghton Park & Ride site. This isn't just two sheets of ice. This is a statement that the Kraken are all in on growing the game from the grassroots up.

Two Rinks, One Mission: Making Hockey Accessible

Martin Hlinka, the Kraken's youth hockey director, laid out the vision clearly. Since the team arrived, demand for ice time has exploded. "We need more ice to keep up with that demand," Hlinka said. The new facility tackles that head-on with two NHL-regulation rinks, a city-operated community center, a public restaurant, a Kraken Team Store, and space for community programs and events. The programming pipeline runs deep: Learn to Skate, Learn to Play, beginner leagues, all the way up to competitive Tier 1 hockey. Whether you're a kid or an adult, the goal is the same. Get on the ice, fall in love with the game, stay connected to the community.

The commitment to accessibility is real. Kirkland residents get access to select free public skate sessions each month. The Kraken's One Roof Foundation will bring its commitment to access to play to the Eastside. The facility opens within two miles of five Eastside schools, and 40 schools on the Eastside are already part of the Kraken school network, including 25 participating in the team's reading program.

From Ball Hockey to Year-Round Community Hub

The Kraken skating academy has already welcomed 12,500 skaters hitting the ice for the first time, according to Chad Goodwin, director of the Kraken Skating Academy. The new facility expands everything: youth and adult recreational leagues, figure skating, hockey camps, youth and adult tournaments, drop-in sessions year-round. There's sensory-friendly public skates, tot play hour, birthday party rentals. The Kraken will also offer field trips for local schools with skating sessions and STEM activities, plus financial support for lower-income families to participate.

On the economic side, the Iceplex is expected to generate $7 million in annual economic activity for Kirkland and the Eastside, supporting local jobs and bringing new visitors to nearby businesses. When the doors open in fall 2027, the Eastside will have the hub it needs. The Kraken's next chapter just got a whole lot bigger.

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