THE Exploris aquarium in Portaferry could be privatised.
The hugely popular facility — which includes a seal sanctuary — has been owned by Ards Council since 1987, but the local authority is currently considering options for its future.
Four years ago, Ards Council made a move to transfer ownership of the aquarium, which employs 19 people, to Blue Reef Leisure which owned four similar facilities in England. But this fell through when the company was acquired by the Spanish-based company Aspro.
Last week, Ards Council confirmed that following “renewed interest from the public sector,” it is now inviting proposals for investing in the facility and surrounding land in Portaferry.
The council says the move is a bid to “establish a clear direction for the future of Exploris and reduce the financial burden on ratepayers.”
The cost of running of the facility, which is included among the Province’s top 10 visitor attractions, is estimated at £550,000 a year.
Councillor Stephen McIlveen, chairman of the council’s development committee, said he and his colleagues would be “failing in their duties” if they did not consider the opportunity at a time when budgets are so tight.
He added: “This is not a new approach to the future management of the aquarium and is being reconsidered in light of interest from the private sector.
“In the current economic climate when investment opportunities are limited and budgets are tight, the council would be failing in its duty if it did not take the opportunity to explore the potential offered by external sources.”
Strangford Assemblyman Kieran McCarthy has welcomed the council’s suggestion. He said if it helps the aquarium continue to be successful, he “absolutely welcomes it with open arms.”
Mr. McCarthy said there is a need to see exactly what the council plans to do, describing Exploris as a “fantastic tourist attraction” which keeps visitors coming to the peninsula and helping the local economy.
Ards Council says it plans to complete the procurement exercise and reach a decision on the way forward by the end of the summer.