Exploris campaign praised

Exploris campaign praised

15 October 2014

SUPPORT for the campaign to keep the doors of the Exploris aquarium in Portaferry open has been praised by a senior politician.
Councillor Joe Boyle is delighted that after months of campaigning, backed by community and political support, work to breathe new life into Northern Ireland’s only aquarium can begin.
Two weeks ago, the North Down and Ards super council gave its backing to a rescue package from the Stormont Executive which will lead to the refurbishment of the tourist attraction and the creation of a new management structure.
Ards Borough Council had already accepted the Executive’s offer of £914,000 of capital funding and up to £120,000 of annual funding for the seal sanctuary.
The new council’s formal approval came after the Department of the Environment gave an assurance that any capital funding not spent this financial year will be amongst the Minister’s top priorities to be met from next year’s budget.
Councillor Boyle said the future of the Portaferry aquarium and its seal sanctuary have now been assured, explaining that “saving” the facility has been his biggest single issue in almost a decade as a councillor for the Ards peninsula.
He said he’s delighted that after nearly 50 meetings stretching over 15 months Exploris will continue and now be reinvigorated. Councillor Boyle said victory to secure the aquarium’s future is “well deserved” and came following a tough fight by many.
He also singled out the efforts of the Friends of Exploris, Portaferry Regeneration Limited, Portaferry schools, the local community and many others, including Down Council and South Down MP Margaret Ritchie.
Councillor Boyle also highlighted the campaign input of what he described as “many other political representatives, organisations, groupings and the local media.
He added: “I believe we can all now look forward to a brighter future for the Portaferry area involving the promotion of tourism with the focus on Strangford Lough, the sustainability of continued employment and, with an agreed refurbishment of Exploris, a timely boost to the local economy.”