BNBuilders Started Construction on Kirkland Iceplex
The 80,000-square-foot facility replaces a former city park-and-ride, bringing two rinks to a privately funded development.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Construction
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Construction began on August 14, 2026, at the 5-acre site of the future Kraken Iceplex in Kirkland. This privately funded project transforms the former Houghton Park & Ride property into an 80,000-square-foot facility.
Why it matters
The development represents a transition of municipal land into a specialized commercial asset that aims to serve local youth hockey and skating programs. The shift underscores how cities are increasingly repurposing underutilized public transit infrastructure for private development.
The city of Kirkland has valued the project at $60 million on a 5-acre footprint. The 80,000-square-foot structure, located east of Interstate 405, is currently being developed through a ground lease agreement.
The players
BNBuilders
A general contractor specializing in large-scale commercial and institutional construction projects.
Forge Building Co.
A manufacturer and provider of pre-engineered metal building systems for commercial developments.
City of Kirkland
The local municipal government serving as the landowner and ground lessor for the project site.
The details
BNBuilders is currently executing site earthwork and the installation of concrete foundations. The project incorporates pre-engineered metal structural components supplied by Forge Building Co. The design features two ice rinks and designated community event space.
Timeline
August 14, 2026: Construction began at the site.
October 2026: Site inspections verified ongoing foundation work.
Fall 2027: Construction is expected to reach completion.
Market Landscape
This project follows the established pattern of municipalities using long-term ground leases to leverage private capital for commercial construction on city-owned land. It highlights a broader trend of repurposing underutilized transit infrastructure to anchor specialized recreation hubs.
Operators in the region should monitor the project's timeline to understand shifts in local transit access and surrounding commercial demand. Contractors should note the use of pre-engineered metal components as a standard for similar large-scale recreational facilities.
The takeaway
Large-scale recreational developments often utilize city ground leases to offset upfront land costs. Monitor the 2027 completion date as a benchmark for how similar municipal site redevelopments affect regional traffic patterns and local commercial accessibility.
What happens next
Construction is expected to conclude in late fall 2027.
Further reading
For more on large-scale infrastructure projects, see our Construction section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce.
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Should the city lease public land to private developers for projects like sports facilities?
