Seaside water park '˜to stay open until end of summer'

Waterworld in Portrush should remain open until “the end of the season”, a committee at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has decided.

However, council officers are set to explore all options for the future of the facility.

UUP Alderman Norman Hillis said during the committee meeting – which was private because of “commercial sensitivities” – “there was interest in getting reports on the facility”.

Earlier this week the News Letter revealed falling visitor numbers and the need for repairs to the complex had led council officials to consider the future of the centre, which also includes a ten pin bowling facility.

A recommendation had also been put forward to close the facility.

However, Mr Hillis said: “My gut feeling is that the recommendation to keep Waterworld open until the end of August will be accepted by the full council.”

He added that “no water area whether in Belfast, Lisburn or the Causeway Coast and Glens makes any money”.

“It is always run at a loss,” he said.

“As a party grouping we had a walk around it last Friday. Of course we saw it empty of water, but having said that I was amazed at how good a condition the site was in even though it is 30 years old which is a tribute to the maintenance staff.”

He added that “obviously the facility has a lifespan but if we were ever to consider long term closure, personally I would feel there would have to be some replacement and not a new version of the same thing, but a new idea”.

“We will look at future ideas once we get more facts and figures.

“Portrush is a great place for kids during the holidays and sadly we don’t always get good weather so Waterworld was a great facility for them.”