Exploris work planned

Exploris work planned

22 October 2014

THE Exploris aquarium in Portaferry will close within the next few weeks to allow work to start on a much-needed £1m redevelopment project.

The scheme — which is scheduled to last until next summer — will include a major overhaul of the facility located on the shores of Strangford Lough.

A cash injection from the Northern Ireland Executive will be used to provide a new cafe, alongside new and improved facilities and exhibitions. A new children’s play area also features in the redevelopment initiative, and the new exhibitions will feature tropical fish and jellyfish, a reptile rain forest and dedicated area for seal displays.

The North Down and Ards super council recently gave its backing to the Executive’s rescue package for the aquarium which in addition to the refurbishment of the tourist attraction, includes the creation of a new management structure.

Earlier this year, Ards Council accepted the Executive’s offer of £914,000 of capital funding and up to £120,000 of annual funding for the aquarium’s seal sanctuary.

Last week, Ards Council’s Policy and Resources Committee agreed to temporarily close the aquarium in order for capital refurbishment work to take place, with the decision due to be ratified by the full council on October 29.

Committee members also agreed last week to instigate the local authority’s redundancy policy and offer Exploris staff members voluntary redundancy.

Consultation is to take place with affected employees, relevant trade unions and related parties, with Exploris employees being offered either voluntary redundancy or redeployment opportunities within Ards Council.

Council Mayor, Philip Smith, said the local authority is hopeful Exploris employees will avail of redeployment opportunities within the council or volunteer for redundancy at the enhanced rate being offered.

He added: “Council officials plan to meet with Exploris staff and work closely with trade unions to mitigate the need for compulsory redundancies.”

Portaferry 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.

He is pleased 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.

Councillor Boyle said guaranteeing the future of the aquarium means Portaferry “can look forward to a brighter future.”