Kirkland Teen Union Building (KTUB)

The Kirkland Teen Union Building is committed to providing an inclusive, safe space for teens.

Located in the middle of Peter Kirk Park in downtown Kirkland, KTUB provides recreation programs and services for youth of middle and high school age (both paid and free). Since opening in September 2024, the City of Kirkland's teen programming will operate out of KTUB. In addition, KTUB has daily, afterschool drop-in hours where teens can hang out, study, and/or participate in various free activities, such as:

• Classes and workshops, which include cooking, life skills training, and learning new hobbies.
• Art classes, activities, and music workshops in the Recording Studio with our partner, 4 Tomorrow.
• Free mental health services and counseling from our partner, Youth Eastside Services (YES). 

Sign up for the KTUB Newsletter to receive monthly updates via email or text!

KTUB offers a wide range of activities during our afterschool drop-in hours that promote socialization, mental health and wellness, and skill building. Below is a glimpse of the type of activities that are held each day at KTUB. A detailed calendar is posted monthly on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Kirkland Parks and Community Services also offers year-round recreational activities (both paid and free) for teens. Programs include outdoor adventures trips, health and wellness courses, job and life skill classes, sports, and monthly social events. Learn more and register by clicking the link below:

kirklandparks.net

In need of financial assistance? Kirkland Parks and Community Services provides a scholarship program. Learn more and apply by clicking the link below:

Recreation Scholarship Application

The City of Kirkland Youth Services division provides support, programs, resources, and advocacy for youth in grades 6-12. 

• Kirkland Youth Council - a group of about 45 middle and high school students who serve as the official advisory board on youth related issues and concerns to our City Council. They research, develop, and implement a wide variety of programs, activities, and resources for Kirkland teens.
• Youth Traffic Court - Kirkland's Youth Traffic Court (YTC) offers teens ages 16-17 the opportunity to have moving violations heard in front of a judge and jury of their peers. Any teen who has been issued a moving violation by an officer from any of the jurisdictions served by the Kirkland Municipal Court (Clyde Hill, Hunts Point, Medina Woodinville, Yarrow Point, and Kirkland) can partake in YTC.
• Youth Mini Grants - The City of Kirkland offers a mini-grant program to provide short-term, limited funding for Kirkland youth and community groups for projects, activities, events, and training.

Last Updated: March 19th, 2025 - The Kirkland Teen Union Building (KTUB) is available for rentals!

Below are the general guidelines for renting out KTUB - information is subject to change at our discretion.

The Kirkland Teen Union Building provides several amenities, depending on the space being used. If not listed, renter is expected to bring their own equipment, supplies, etc. Restrooms and Wi-Fi (password protected) is available. We do not provide parking - renters are expected to use the Peter Kirk Municipal Parking Garage for parking purposes Monday - Friday if their rental occurs before 4:00PM. Violators will be ticketed.

Renters shall be responsible for obtaining and maintaining at no cost to the City, all permits and other authorizations required in order to legally conduct activities in their rental.

For more information, please review our Rental Guidelines(PDF, 855KB) and contact us with any questions.

Contact Information

• Phone Number: 425-587-3370
• Email Address: ktub@kirklandwa.gov

Reservation Process

Reservations can be made up to nine (9) months in advance and a minimum of thirty (30) calendar days in advanced is required. You can check availability in-person, via phone, or email. Availability is also dependent on program schedule and staffing.

Multi-Purpose Room & Cafe

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Rental Payment and Damage Deposit: 50% of the rental fee is due at the time of booking. The remaining balance and damage deposit are due in full, 60 days prior to the event date. Reservations made within 60 days of the event, 100% of the rental fees and damage deposit are due at the time of booking. Damage deposits will be fully refunded if clean-up is acceptable, no damage is noted on the facility or equipment, and all policies have been followed. The renter must sign a Rental Cleanup Checklist before leaving the facility in order for the deposit to be returned.

Room Capacity :

• Seating: 100 people
• Standing: 150 people

Amenities:

• 14, 6-foot rectangle folding tables
• 84 chairs (100 if Meeting Room is free)
• Stage
• Fridge & Microwave
• Large dining table with 6 chairs
• 4 cafe-style round tables, 2 chairs each
• Patio & Patio Furniture

Availability:

Select days and evenings may not be available due to staffing and programming.

• Friday 7:00PM-12:00AM (minimum of 4 hours)
• Saturday 8:00AM-12:00AM (minimum of 4 hours)
• Sunday 8:00AM-11:00PM (minimum of 4 hours)

Meeting Room & Classroom

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Rental Payment and Damage Deposit: 100% of the rental fees are due at the time of booking. The City of Kirkland reserves the right to require a damage deposit for rentals based on the nature of activities. Damage deposits will be fully refunded if clean-up is acceptable, no damage is noted on the facility or equipment, and all policies have been followed. The renter must sign a Rental Cleanup Checklist before leaving the facility in order for the deposit to be returned.

Room Capacity: 16 people

Amenities:

• 4 tables
• 16 chairs
• Whiteboard with markers

Availability:

Select days and evenings may not be available due to staffing and programming.

• Monday - Thursday 7:00PM-11:00PM (minimum of 2 hours)
• Friday 7:00PM-12:00AM (minimum of 4 hours)
• Saturday 8:00AM-12:00AM (minimum of 4 hours)
• Sunday 8:00AM-11:00PM (minimum of 4 hours)

Cancellations and Change Policy

Cancellations must be made in writing (email is acceptable). Damage deposits are 100% refundable. Rental changes are subject to a $25 administrative fee and must be made 61 days in advance. If a rescheduled rental is cancelled, original booking date is used with cancellation policy mentioned below.

• Cancellations 61+ days prior to rental will receive a refund of 100% of rental fees minus a $25 administrative fee.
• Cancellations 30-60 days prior to rental will receive a refund of 50% of rental fees.
• Cancellations 0-29 days prior to rental will receive no refund of rental fees. Damage deposits will be 100% refunded.

Last Updated: December 16th, 2024. The following information is subject to change.

We're currently not hiring for staff at the Kirkland Teen Union Building. We may look into additional staff in early 2025 and summer 2025 for our summer programming. Follow the Kirkland Parks and Community Services Facebook page for job announcements.

Last Updated: December 16th, 2024

More information on how to volunteer at KTUB coming soon.

Last Updated: December 16th, 2024. The following information is subject to change.

Are you interested in teaching a class at the Kirkland Teen Union Building? Use the button below to get started on the Recreation Program Proposal Form.

Interested Parties:

Recreation Programs at the Kirkland Teen Union Building do not need to be teen-based. However, there are certain times where only teens are allowed in the building, so we ask that if your program is not teen-based, your program operates during the day when teens are in school and not occupying the building:

• Monday 9:00AM-2:00PM or 6:00PM-9:30PM
• Tuesday 9:00AM-2:00PM or 6:00PM-9:30PM
• Wednesday 9:00AM-1:00PM or 6:00PM-9:30PM
• Thursday 9:00AM-2:00PM or 6:00PM-9:30PM
• Friday 9:00AM-2:00PM or 6:00PM-9:30PM

Note: Some days and evenings may not be available due to center programming. Weekends are not available.

Recreation Program Proposal Form

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In 1996, the Kirkland Youth Council organized its first All-City Youth Summit. Over 300 youth gave the Kirkland Youth Council and the City a mandate that they wanted Kirkland to be a better place for teens. The number one recommendation from this group was to develop a teen center in Kirkland. In 1997 the concept of a teen center emerged as one of five City Council priority goals. Teens needed a safe and welcoming place to hang out after school or on weekends; a place to develop relationships with police, community members, and the business community. Kirkland youth wanted a center for artistic and self-expression, particularly through music, art, and photography.

Unique to this project was the City’s desire and determination to have youth input throughout the development and implementation of both the program and facility. After years of research, dedication, and persistence, the teens of Kirkland were able to dedicate a facility to their peers on June 9, 2001. The KTUB facility is truly a reflection of Kirkland’s dedication to youth and the power that young voices can have in a community.

After a competitive RFP process, Friends of Youth was selected as the operating partner. Together, Friends of Youth, youth and City staff designed the facility, developed the programs, and hired staff. Friends of Youth continued this progressive, inclusive, youth centered approach throughout its ten-year partnership with the City. In 2009 Friends of Youth chose not to renew its contract with the City as the organization moved toward focusing its efforts on youth experiencing and transitioning out of homelessness.

A second RFP process was held in early 2010 for a new operating partner for the Kirkland Teen Union Building. On July 1, 2010, the City entered into an operating agreement with the YMCA of Greater Seattle. In June 2020, the City of Kirkland chose not to extend the agreement with the YMCA for services.

In November 2020, KTUB became a temporary host for Studio East. [ News Release ]

A formal process to identify the next organization to fulfill KTUB’s mission as a recreation, resource and arts center for teens began in 2022. An RFP was issued on August 4, 2022. Three operating models were reviewed by City Council at their January 17, 2023 meeting. City Council directed staff to proceed with the city operating model.

As part of the re-opening process the City conducted a youth-centered design competition over the summer of 2024 to identify the new look for the new KTUB. Congratulations to the winners of the KTUB design contest:

The City of Kirkland re-opened KTUB as a comprehensive city-operated teen center on September 3, 2024.

KTUB Murals

Before beginning the 2024 building renovations, staff documented the KTUB murals.

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