The Kraken Community Iceplex (KCI) in Seattle stands as the city’s first permanent indoor ice rink in more than four decades, offering public access alongside a bustling schedule of hockey games, figure skating, public skating sessions and a variety of community events. Located just steps from a Light Rail station in the Northgate neighborhood, the 172,000‑square‑foot facility has quickly become a central gathering point for residents and visitors alike.
A Vision Takes Shape
The project was privately financed by the NHL’s Seattle Kraken for $90 million and emerged from a last‑minute agreement with Simon Property Group, the owner of the adjacent Northgate Mall. Kraken executive Lance Lopes championed the idea of embedding ice rinks into the mall’s redevelopment plan, persuading the mall’s owner to allow construction within city limits. The venue opened two weeks ahead of schedule in September 2021, with its flagship restaurant launching in November of the same year.
Inside, KCI offers three NHL‑size ice surfaces, dedicated practice space for the Kraken, Seattle Torrent and the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds, as well as areas for figure skating, curling, broomball and other ice‑based activities. The complex also houses a Starbucks Community Store, the 32 Bar & Grill restaurant, a Kraken‑branded team store, and a Virginia Mason Franciscan Health medical clinic, creating a full‑service destination beyond the ice.
With more than 1.1 million annual visitors, the rink fuels local engagement through youth hockey programs run by the Kraken Youth Hockey Association and supports the team’s One Roof Foundation, which channels a portion of Starbucks sales to nonprofit partners and introduces thousands of young people to the sport. Elite figure‑skating events and community gatherings further enrich the venue’s role as a cultural hub.
The success of KCI has helped revitalize the Northgate Mall area, spurring new retail and dining options and setting a benchmark for community‑focused sports infrastructure. Its blend of Northwest‑inspired architecture, featuring Native American art and local murals, underscores a commitment to regional identity while delivering a modern, inclusive space for sport and social interaction.