Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry will reopen in the summer following an investment of close to £1.5M in refurbishment works and with a new operator, the company responsible for the success of Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast.
Ards and North Down Borough Council announced on 11 February that construction work will start on site after Easter to facilitate the centre reopening in the summer. The work represents an investment of almost £1.5M; £914,000 of this is from the Department of the Environment and the remainder is from the North Down and Ards Borough Council and the new operator.
Crumlin Road Gaol Ltd (CRG) will operate the Aquarium and Seal Sanctuary on behalf of the Council. The company has enjoyed outstanding success with Crumlin Road Gaol, which is one of the top three visitor attractions in Northern Ireland.
CRG has developed a partnership with Oceanworld Aquarium in Dingle, County Kerry, to assist with the development of specialist educational and conservation programmes around marine life at the Aquarium.
Kieran Quinn, Managing Director with CRG Ltd, said: “It is 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 that will be entertaining and educational for visitors.
“With the expertise, Kevin Flannery and his colleagues from Dingle Oceanworld we will have the right team in place to ensure the Aquarium becomes one of the best in Europe.
“We anticipate this project will be a catalyst for regeneration in Portaferry and the surrounding area and we aim to create 35 jobs at the facility.”
The contract with CRG Ltd is for a minimum of 25 years and so offers a long-term and sustainable future for the Aquarium. CRG Ltd has committed to investing at least £2M into the facility during the life of the contract.
Welcoming the announcement, Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Alan Graham, said: “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.
“Their proposals are robust and promise to deliver a first class visitor attraction that will contribute to public understanding of marine life and make a very strong contribution to the regeneration and economic life of Portaferry, as well as the wider Ards and North Down area.
He added: “We are very grateful for the financial support provided by the Department of the Environment for the refurbishment works. We appreciate the support provided by Minister Durkin and his officials throughout the process of securing this grant.”
Elaine Roddy, Chair of the Friends of Exploris Trust said: “I’d like to thank everyone who supported our campaign to keep Exploris open. We all look forward to the re-opening in the summer and it certainly be great for Strangford Lough and the area and give Portaferry a welcome boost.”
Councillor Joe Boyle added: “I am absolutely delighted at the news for Exploris that it is to re-open in the summer. This is great for Portaferry. And very welcome on the same day that the Portaferry Hotel has re-opened.
“It has been a frustrating time for staff and people in Portaferry but we are now looking at the end solution to this difficult problem, and I was therefore delighted to propose the motion in Council to bring CRG aboard. I would welcome the CRG Ltd Group to Portaferry. They have excellent experience in managing an aquarium in Dingle in Kerry and that will certainly rub off in Portferry.
“I understand they have bought a double decker bus so will be running people from the successful Crumlin Road jail tour they do to Portaferry which will significantly boost visitors to the town.
“Our objective now is to get back the 100,000+ visitors that came to Portaferry at the peak periods to enjoy the Exploris facility and even exceed these figures if we can.”
