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23/10/2013
Protestors Gather At Exploris During MLA Fact-Finding Visit
Some 70 protestors gathered outside the Exploris aquarium in Portaferry during a fact-finding visit by assembly members.
The aquarium has been marked for closure in March 2014 as a result of financial troubles, Ards Borough Council have said.
During the visit assembly members were told the only that would save the centre would be financial support from a government department, but it is understood that as yet no department has agreed to step in.
Speaking after his visit, chairman of Stormont's enterprise committee Patsy McGlone said that closing the centre would be "madness".
Earlier this month, Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín said she could not commit to funding the aquarium.
The minister said this could result in a queue of facilities claiming to be of regional importance.
(MH)
The aquarium has been marked for closure in March 2014 as a result of financial troubles, Ards Borough Council have said.
During the visit assembly members were told the only that would save the centre would be financial support from a government department, but it is understood that as yet no department has agreed to step in.
Speaking after his visit, chairman of Stormont's enterprise committee Patsy McGlone said that closing the centre would be "madness".
Earlier this month, Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín said she could not commit to funding the aquarium.
The minister said this could result in a queue of facilities claiming to be of regional importance.
(MH)
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15 August 2016
Exploris Aquarium Re-Opens Following Refurb Work
Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry, Co Down, has re-opened following refurbishment work. Exploris had been threatened with permanent closure in 2013, however the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and North Down Borough Council invested £2 million to secure the future of the aquarium.
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Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry, Co Down, has re-opened following refurbishment work. Exploris had been threatened with permanent closure in 2013, however the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and North Down Borough Council invested £2 million to secure the future of the aquarium.
11 February 2016
Exploris Aquarium To Re-Open
Northern Ireland's only aquarium Exploris is to re-open its doors this summer. The aquarium, based in Strangford, Co Down, remained closed after Ards Borough Council failed to appoint a contractor to undertake refurbishment work at the attraction in 2015. Alliance Councillor Kellie Armstrong welcomed the news.
Exploris Aquarium To Re-Open
Northern Ireland's only aquarium Exploris is to re-open its doors this summer. The aquarium, based in Strangford, Co Down, remained closed after Ards Borough Council failed to appoint a contractor to undertake refurbishment work at the attraction in 2015. Alliance Councillor Kellie Armstrong welcomed the news.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
