The City Council voted 5-2 on Oct. 6 to lease the property at 13220 N.E. 132nd St. The 3.28-acre site was purchased by the city for $10 million after it went on the market earlier this year. Kirkland is still exploring potential tenants; no lease has been announced.

City officials say the delay reflects the cost of operating another community center, including the parks staff it would require, and the need to complete the Kraken Community Iceplex. The $60 million public-private project, with construction paid for by the Seattle Kraken, is scheduled to open in fall 2027 and will be operated by the city.

Kirkland had planned an aquatic and recreation center at the church property, but voters did not approve a levy to fund that project. The city allocated $7.5 million toward converting the building, but officials say more money is needed. The property became available after the city’s budget had already been set, officials said.

The site drew interest partly because it is in Kingsgate, a lower-income neighborhood where city leaders have sought to expand community services. Kirkland Heights, an affordable housing complex beside the property, recently completed a rehabilitation of 180 existing units and added 96 more. City officials have said children living nearby could benefit from indoor recreation space, and that a new center could relieve pressure on the city’s two other community centers.

Councilmembers Jon Pascal and John Tymczyszyn opposed the lease plan. Pascal said he might have questioned the purchase had he known the community center would be delayed so long. Tymczyszyn warned that the city could face difficulty relocating tenants in two years.

Other councilmembers argued that leasing the building would be preferable to leaving it unused while the city moves ahead with the iceplex. City spokesperson David Wolbrecht said a temporary tenant could provide a public benefit and help recover operating costs until Kirkland is ready to run a community center there.