SEA the New Kraken Community Iceplex [PHOTOS]
Jonathan West
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The Seattle Kraken opened its state-of-the-art training facility over the weekend. Our Jonathan West gives fans a closer look.
“Because I’m the best ice maker in North America.”
That’s what facilities manager Iggy Tarajos said when asked why the Kraken Community Iceplex was so good. The $80 million facility is off to a great start after opening to the public this past weekend, 560 days after groundbreaking. The 172,000 square-foot facility has three ice sheets, kept at a constant 21 degrees, thanks to 30 miles of piping underground. Add 10,000 bolts and almost 3 million pounds of steel, and we have the first hockey ice rinks in the city since the Thunderbirds played at Key Arena! Check out our KCI photos from the weekend:
Took a little longer to build than @GoldenKnights, and a little less than @NHLBlackhawks…but the brand new @SeattleKraken practice venue is #NowOpen! @Starbucks @KrakenIceplex is a great facility with native art, a huge team store, and BIG locker rooms! pic.twitter.com/csLCBASlyB
— Jonathan West (JW) (@JonathanSWest) September 13, 2021
The Starbucks Rink
General Manager Rob Lampman shows off the north rink from the Kraken offices.
On the north side of the facility, the Starbucks Rink is the main ice sheet. The Seattle Kraken team offices, player locker room, team training facility, video board/scoreboard, and bleachers with a capacity of almost 900 spectators. The 32 Bar & Grill overlooking the west side upstairs will open on November 1st. Seattle’s NHL training camp opens to the public on September 23rd.
The Smartsheet Rink
Opening weekend public skating session at the middle rink.
The Smartsheet Rink in the middle of the facility will host public skating sessions, sled hockey, figure skating, youth hockey, tournaments, and games for the adult Kraken Hockey League. The 32 Bar & Grill will overlook this sheet along with the west entrance hallway. General use locker rooms and a multi-purpose room have direct access.
The Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Rink
The south rink is ready for the Kraken jersey launch on September 15th.
The Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Rink on the south side of the facility has huge rink-long windows that will face a future green space. This rink will host various events as well, including curling. And the area will also be used for non-ice events, like the Seattle Kraken jersey launch starting September 15th. The locker rooms and the multi-purpose room also have direct access here.
Kraken Community Iceplex Photo Gallery Tour
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- West entrance at Northgate next to Gene Juarez Salon.
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- Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Medical Pavillion opening October 18th.
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- Native art in the west entrance hallway.
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- Ice skating exhibition on the middle Smartsheet Rink.
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- The Starbucks Community Store…
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- …and a digital drink menu board!
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- Huge Seattle Kraken team store overlooking the south Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Rink.
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- The Seattle Kraken celebrate opening with partners and builders.
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- The west entrance hallway ends next to the team store and into the main lobby.
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- Bright and wide main lobby with stadium seating.
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- Starbucks cupcakes with Kraken colors for the grand opening!
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- Front desk right inside the east entrance at Northgate.
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- All-purpose room for figure skaters and more underneath the Starbucks store in between the middle and south rinks.
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- Sled hockey on the middle Smartsheet Rink.
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- Puck shooting on opening weekend.
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- Huge locker rooms in between the middle and south rinks…
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- …and nice bathrooms too!
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- Brand new nets that probably won’t be white for long!
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- More native art in the hallway between the main lobby and north Starbucks Rink.
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- The Starbucks Rink videoboard/scoreboard.
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- Tod Lieweke, Dave Hakstol, Starbucks’ Camille Hymes, and Ron Francis.
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- Ceremonial puck drop!
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- Seattle Junior Kraken practice on Starbucks rink.
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- Huddle up! The 32 Bar & Grill will open inside the windows above on November 1st.
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- As far as we could go into the team training facility and locker room on the north end.
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- KCI head icemaker Iggy Tarajos.
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- Huge chiller/compressor.
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- Big melting pit in between the north and middle rinks on the west side.
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- Multi-purpose room in the Kraken offices just inside from the Starbucks Rink.
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- Outside offices door on the northwest side.
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- 32 Bar & Grill logo outside on the west side of the complex.