The city of Kirkland purchased the former Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building for $10 million, intending to convert it into a community center. However, it became clear that funding for the project would not be available in the coming years. As a result, the City Council voted 5–2 on Oct. 6 to temporarily lease the site to a nonprofit organization or community group, while focusing resources on the construction of the Kraken Community Iceplex — a $60 million complex being developed in partnership with the Seattle Kraken hockey club and scheduled to open in fall 2027.
The 3.28-acre site in the Kingsgate neighborhood was seen by the city as a rare opportunity to expand public services in one of Kirkland’s less affluent areas. The nearby Kirkland Heights affordable-housing complex recently reopened after renovations, adding 96 new apartments, and officials hoped to create a place for the area’s many children to study and spend their free time. The city initially planned to build an aquatic and sports-and-recreation center there, but voters did not approve funding through a special tax levy.
Some council members said they had not expected the delay to last so long and worried about the difficulty of evicting tenants in the future. Others considered leasing the property the most responsible financial decision: It would allow the site to be used and help partially cover expenses until the city can fund operations for its own community center. The Parks Department will consider additional funding and the necessary staffing as part of the 2027–28 budget; potential tenants are currently being sought.
Based on: Kirkland leases out former LDS church, prioritizes Kraken Iceplex