Exploris aquarium is saved

Exploris aquarium is saved

12 February 2016

EXPLORIS has been saved with a £1.5m investment from a new operator.

Crumlin Road Goal Ltd, which operates one of the top tourist attractions in Belfast, will run the aquarium and seal sanctuary on behalf of Ards and North Down Borough Council.

Construction work at the Portaferry centre will begin in a few weeks’ time and it is hoped Exploris will reopen in the summer.

It is believed 35 jobs will be created by the investment.

Crumlin Road Goal Ltd also has an association with Oceanworld Aquarium in Dingle, Co Kerry, to help with education and conservation work around marine life at aquarium.

Kieran Quinn, Managing Director with CRG Ltd, said: "It’s going to be an exciting opportunity working with Ards and North Down Borough Council and other stakeholders in the Portaferry area to create a first class visitor attraction.

"With the expertise of Kevin Flannery and his colleagues from Dingle Ocean World we will have the right team in place to ensure the Aquarium becomes one of the best in Europe.”

Alderman Alan Graham, Mayor of Ards and North Down, added: "Ards and North Down Borough Council could not be more delighted to make this announcement and confirm details for the reopening of Exploris this summer. 

"We are very pleased to have appointed such an innovative company as Crumlin Road Goal to operate the Aquarium and Seal Sanctuary for us.”