Sports Domes due to reopen after bosses blame '˜maintenance issue' for closure

The JD Sports Domes at Seaton Carew closed to the public on Tuesday and were closed all day yesterday while the company said it was working to resolve the problem.

Operators posted a number of messages on the domes’ website to try to stop what it called ‘scare mongering’ on social media over the reasons behind the closure.

Facility owner Brian Morton told the Mail it was because of a fault with an underground electric cable linked to one of the generators that inflates the golf dome – which became partially deflated during the incident.

Mr Morton said the fault had now been sorted out and the site was due to re-open by 11am today.

It is still unclear why police attended the site for a health and safety issue on Tuesday, but they remained on site for a number of hours.

Mr Morton said: “It was caused by maintenance to the golf dome. We have had to secure a cable from a generator to the golf dome, which is underground.

“We apologise to all our members but it was unforeseen. Everything will be back to normal by 11am on Thursday.”

Managers said they took the decision to close down temporarily after consultation with the police in the interests of “public safety”.

The Sports Domes said on its Facebook page yesterday that the closure was necessary for repair works to “an integral fault”.

It said: “It has been necessary for the safety of our members and the public to undertake essential works in order to rectify an integral fault.

“Once this repair is complete, the facility will be back open as normal. Unfortunately, it has proved necessary to make several statements in order to put a stop to scaremongering on social media.”

A customer notice put on The Sports Domes’ website read: “Due to an issue with the Golf Dome, for health and safety reasons the Sports Domes has taken the decision, after consultation with the police, to close the domes facility until the matter can be safely resolved.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but safety of the public and customers at the Sports Domes is paramount.”

A Cleveland Police spokesman said: “We were called to reports of a health and safety issue. We were there for a number of hours.”

Children’s football training had to be cancelled last night.

The charity Miles for Men said its event and Walk for Women will still take place at the domes on Sunday, July 31.