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27/02/2014
'One Last Month' For Exploris Funding
Ards Borough Council has given the NI Executive one more month to confirm a funding package to keep Exploris Aquarium open.
The announcement follows a meeting on Wednesday (26 February), where the Council agreed to extend the stay on closure for a further month. It also said it was disappointed and concerned that no financial package had been forthcoming from the Executive, even though the local authority submitted a business case which aimed to make the aquarium a sustainable operation.
The Council proposed to reduce the deficit to what it believed to be an acceptable level, which was from £500,000 each year to just £200,000.
However, the reduced running costs are only possible with a commitment from the government to include revenue for the Seal Sanctuary from the Department of the Environment, as well as a substantial one-off capital grant of approximately £900,000.
Councillors have said they will look at the issue again at their next meeting at the end of March, while Exploris remains open and continues to welcome visitors.
(JP/MH)
The announcement follows a meeting on Wednesday (26 February), where the Council agreed to extend the stay on closure for a further month. It also said it was disappointed and concerned that no financial package had been forthcoming from the Executive, even though the local authority submitted a business case which aimed to make the aquarium a sustainable operation.
The Council proposed to reduce the deficit to what it believed to be an acceptable level, which was from £500,000 each year to just £200,000.
However, the reduced running costs are only possible with a commitment from the government to include revenue for the Seal Sanctuary from the Department of the Environment, as well as a substantial one-off capital grant of approximately £900,000.
Councillors have said they will look at the issue again at their next meeting at the end of March, while Exploris remains open and continues to welcome visitors.
(JP/MH)
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25 September 2013
Councillors To Decide Exploris Fate
The future of Northern Ireland's only aquarium will be decided at a council meeting tonight (Wednesday). The council-run Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry, Co Down, is facing the threat of closure after a take-over acquisition with a private firm collapsed earlier this month.
Councillors To Decide Exploris Fate
The future of Northern Ireland's only aquarium will be decided at a council meeting tonight (Wednesday). The council-run Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry, Co Down, is facing the threat of closure after a take-over acquisition with a private firm collapsed earlier this month.
01 August 2014
Executive Funding Saves Exploris
The Northern Ireland Executive has approved the necessary funding to save Exploris Aquarium in Co Down. On Thursday evening it was confirmed that a total of £900,000 would be set aside for the Portaferry-based aquarium.
Executive Funding Saves Exploris
The Northern Ireland Executive has approved the necessary funding to save Exploris Aquarium in Co Down. On Thursday evening it was confirmed that a total of £900,000 would be set aside for the Portaferry-based aquarium.
07 August 2014
Council Accepts Exploris Funding
Ards Borough Council has accepted the Executive’s offer of £914,000 capital funding and up to £120K revenue funding to save the threatened Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry, it has been announced.
Council Accepts Exploris Funding
Ards Borough Council has accepted the Executive’s offer of £914,000 capital funding and up to £120K revenue funding to save the threatened Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry, it has been announced.
26 September 2013
Decision To Close Exploris Deferred
Councillors have voted to delay the closure of Northern Ireland's only aquarium for two months, in the hopes of funding being made available from government departments. The decision was made by Ards Borough Council during a meeting on Wednesday night.
Decision To Close Exploris Deferred
Councillors have voted to delay the closure of Northern Ireland's only aquarium for two months, in the hopes of funding being made available from government departments. The decision was made by Ards Borough Council during a meeting on Wednesday night.
27 March 2014
Ards Council Submit Financial Plan For Exploris Aquariam
The Exploris aquarium in Portaferry has been granted a further two months before a final decision is taken on its longterm future. The aquarium has been marked for closure due to the cost of operating the facility.
Ards Council Submit Financial Plan For Exploris Aquariam
The Exploris aquarium in Portaferry has been granted a further two months before a final decision is taken on its longterm future. The aquarium has been marked for closure due to the cost of operating the facility.
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