Exploris given support from powerful MLA

Exploris given support from powerful MLA

30 October 2013

THE head of an influential Stormont Committee said it would be “madness” to close the Exploris aquarium in Portaferry.

Mr. Patsy McGlone made the comment following a visit by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee (DETI) to the aquarium last week.

Mr. McGlone — who is the committee chairman — joined its other members at what is Northern Ireland’s only aquarium during a fact-finding mission last Wednesday morning.

The committee chairman said he hopes Exploris will be saved, describing the aquarium on the shores of Strangford Lough as a “great facility.”

Mr. McGlone added: “Essentially, it must be saved. For anyone to allow this to go down the drain would be just madness.”

During last week’s visit, DETI committee members had an opportunity to speak with officials from Ards Council which wants to close Exploris over mounting concerns about its estimated annual running costs of £600,000.

Council officials revealed during the meeting that the aquarium would close to the public by March next year, unless a government department agreed to help fund the financially-troubled facility.

Prior to the arrival of MLAs — who were greeted by schoolchildren and supporters of the aquarium waving banners and placards to keep it open — a call was issued to the Stormont Executive to show its “commitment for a new vision for the Portaferry aquarium.”

It was issued by the Friends of Exploris group which has already addressed the minister in charge of DETI, Arlene Foster, suggesting ways alternative funding could be secured for the aquarium.

The Friends group, set up in the wake of the decision to close the aquarium if alternative funding cannot be found, appealed to the Executive to do all it can to make sure the doors are not shut.

The Friends say the new vision for Exploris must retain “this much loved asset” for the people of Northern Ireland, which plays a highly significant educational role, and improve the aquarium’s financial performance.

A spokeswoman for the group said the vision requires an initial investment in the displays and the building, “followed by the introduction of a new operating model which will turn around the business, improve the visitor experience and forge a strong partnership with the local community, business interests and marine conservationists.”

The Friends say at the heart of the vision must be providing a year-round tourism information centre in what is being marketed by the Tourist Board and local councils as a 365-day Strangford Lough destination.

“The vision must continue to deliver £3m for the local economy, support the socio-economic fabric of the rural area and ensure Exploris continues to attract 100,000 visitors a year,” continued the spokeswoman.

She added: “This will all be lost to the people of Northern Ireland if Exploris is closed or operated solely for profit.

“Exploris is not a failed visitor attraction. Every year for two decades it has attracted 100,000 visitors and every year it has put £3m into the local economy.”