The Kirkland Academy of Music and Performance (KAMP) is staying in Kirkland for the forseeable future.

In a May article published in the Reporter, executive director Sue Heale said she was considering relocating her nonprofit from Totem Lake to Bellevue due to a lack of affordable, long-term, large space in Kirkland.

“Our parents met after (the article was published), begging us to stay in Kirkland and they offered their support to help us do whatever it takes to do so,” Heale said.

Since then, KAMP has secured a new location in the space formerly occupied by Liquid Lime at 12015 124th Ave. N.E. She said she would be gradually relocating over the summer and plans to permanently be in the new location in September.

Although it is an improvement from her current location, the lease for the new space is only secured through December 2018.

“We’ve put everything with Bellevue on hold,” Heale said. “At some point, down the road, if we’re not able to secure a long-term location in Kirkland, that is still on the table, but our goal is to avoid that.”

She has also formed the Coalition for Kirkland Kids, a group dedicated to finding large spaces for kid-friendly businesses and nonprofits like hers in the city, with a plan to meet on the second Wednesday of every month at KAMP. For more information about the group, visit bit.ly/2uslIjT.