Councillors To Decide Exploris Fate

The future of Northern Ireland's only aquarium will be decided at a council meeting tonight (Wednesday).

The council-run Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry, Co Down, is facing the threat of closure after a take-over acquisition with a private firm collapsed earlier this month.

Last week, Ards Borough Council's Development Committee recommended that the facility close down and be sold. At Wednesday's meeting, the recommendation will be discussed.

DUP Councillor Trevor Cummings chairs the development committee and last week, he said the level of expenditure required to keep the centre open was "not sustainable in this economic climate".

It is understood it costs ratepayers around £600,000 each year to maintain the Strangford Lough facility.

Due to the costs, the local authority had been trying to find ways to "reduce the financial burden" on ratepayers. It looked to private sector involvement and Livingstone Leisure had submitted a successful bid to take over the aquarium and surrounding parkland on a 25-year lease.

However, the deal collapsed when the firm failed to reach agreement on staff pension provision.

There are currently 18 people employed on permanent contracts at the popular tourist attraction.

Exploris, formerly known as the Northern Ireland Aquarium, first opened in 1987 and has always been owned and operated by Ards Borough Council.

In 1999, the centre's seal sanctuary, which helps to rescue and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned seal pups, opened. If the closure proceeds, the council has said a plan will be developed "to ensure the proper care of all animal stock".

(JP/CD)