Five-a-side football pitches used by junior clubs and adult leagues have closed down suddenly.
Bosses at Pulse Barrow on Greengate Street said it had shut its football pitches due to health and safety concerns.
Westmorland and Furness Council said it owned the facility but it was managed by contractor Pulse Barrow and the decision to close the pitches was taken by the firm.
A spokesman said: “The council was not informed prior to the decision to close the pitches and the council was not involved in the health and safety assessment.
“The council recognises the concern and anxiety that will be caused to the many users of this facility by this decision and is seeking an urgent update from Pulse Barrow to fully understand the issues.”
Barrow and Furness MP Simon Fell declared it was a ‘priority’ to restore them to use.
Mr Fell said: “My inbox has been inundated with emails about the closure of the pitches, from concerned community groups, teams and individuals who use the facility.”
A Facebook post published by Pulse said: “Unfortunately Pulse will be closed with immediate effect due to health and safety regarding the pitches.
“We have had a lot of messages regarding Pulse Soccer’s commitment to the centre. Both the centre and the pitches are owned by the council, Pulse just operate the building.”
The site has previously been plagued by anti-social behaviour and Pulse previously said boards designed to keep people out were being knocked down on a ‘daily basis’.
In 2021 the sports club expressed their frustration at having to spend tens of thousands of pounds repairing damage caused by ‘mindless vandals.’
The site was targeted during a bank holiday weekend with trespassers flipping over goalposts, smashing glass and bins, ripping hand sanitising stations off the wall after kicking down the boards.
Mr Fell said: “These pitches are used a great deal by the local community and especially youth teams so I’m very keen to see them back up and running as soon as possible.
“I’ve reached out to Pulse to understand more, and am seeking an urgent meeting with the director responsible within Westmorland and Furness Council.
“Clearly we need to restore them to use as soon as possible and that’s my priority.”
