Published at 17:33, Monday, 12 November 2012

By Gareth JonesWORK on a new soccer centre is set to begin within weeks.

Plans for new all-weather football pitches at the Park Leisure Centre in Barrow were first revealed more than three years ago.

But the proposals stalled due to funding issues until earlier this year when Barrow Borough Council agreed to lend Pulse Fitness Ltd the money to build the centre.

The plans for a new seven-a-side pitch and six five-a-side pitches could finally come to fruition with work set to start shortly.

A report for the council’s executive committee reveals Pulse is now ready to begin work and that the centre is scheduled to open next spring.

Executive director Phil Huck said: “Pulse Fitness Ltd will provide an operational agreement, plus the schedule of works and costings in the week commencing November 12.

“Due diligence will be carried out on this agreement by council appointed solicitors and the council will also have all costings independently examined to validate that prices are appropriate.

“Pulse have confirmed that they can start work immediately, following the council’s due diligence, and it is anticipated that work will start in December, meaning that the centre will be operational before the end of the current financial year.”

Pulse had originally proposed to install one seven-a-side pitch and six five-a-side pitches, build a new pavilion and provide extra car parking.

The existing pitch closed in October last year after it was deemed unsafe for use and was losing around £15,000 a year.

The plans for new pitches were then put on hold when Pulse Leisure was unable to obtain a £1.2m loan and in April, the council stepped in and provided £600,000 in return for a share of future profits.

Work is expected to take around 12 weeks, with a reduced scheme of the seven pitches set to be constructed.

l The council’s executive committee is due to meet on Wednesday at Barrow Town Hall at 2pm.

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