North Ayrshire Council decided to shut the facility, which is leased by KA Leisure, last week after it became aware of concerns about its condition.

Plans are now in place for the pitch to be assessed before required repairs are carried out.

At present, no timeline has been set out for the park to be brought back into use.

A spokesperson for one local amateur side said: "This closure is particularly concerning because there was already a shortage of available football pitches across North Ayrshire.

"Removing another pitch from use places additional pressure on local clubs, schools and community groups, making it more difficult for children, young people and adults to train, play matches and remain active.

"Access to safe, reliable sports facilities is important for physical wellbeing, community participation and the development of grassroots football.

"If the pitch remains closed for an extended period, teams may face cancelled fixtures, increased travel and hire costs, or difficulty finding suitable alternative venues."

At present, KA Leisure offers alternative synthetic, floodlit pitches at Greenwood Academy and The Circuit in Irvine, as well as Lockhart Campus in Stevenston, St Matthew's Academy in Saltcoats and at Garnock Community Campus.

"It's an absolute shambles to be honest," another amateur manager added. "It is already a battle to try and find suitable venues for matches and training every week.

"Now that we're heading into winter, grass parks without lighting are not a viable option in the slightest.

"Most clubs, whether at amateur or youth level, will already have block bookings - I sympathise with them because I have no idea where they will turn.

"For teams around Kilwinning, Garnock is simply too far away to be a regular option, and the Astro at St Matthew's is a hockey pitch; you'd be as well playing on concrete.

"Lockhart may be a good option for training but the pitch isn't big enough to accommodate a competitive 11-a-side fixture for adults.

"I just don't understand how they could let Kilwinning Academy get into this state and, no doubt, allowed teams to book when you can only assume it was already verging on unsafe.

"These grassroots clubs are run by volunteers and people pay to be a part of them; it feels so unfair that they have been put in this position."

North Ayrshire Council said it will be in contact with its maintenance contractor before further steps are taken to address the current issues.

A spokesperson said: "We are aware of issues regarding the condition of the synthetic pitch at Kilwinning Academy; as a result, unfortunately the facility is currently closed.

"The council is seeking an updated assessment from its specialist pitch maintenance contractor which follows repairs earlier this year.

"This will establish the current condition of the surface, including any immediate safety or remedial requirements.

"We appreciate that the pitch is an important facility for the school and local football clubs and will update relevant stakeholders once that assessment and review is complete."

A contract, valued at just under £150,000, for cyclical inspection and maintenance of the council's all-weather pitches was awarded to Sportex by the authority earlier this year.