The Northern Ireland (NI) Science Park, an innovation hub that brings together entrepreneurs, investors and global companies, has said it's teaming up with the local council to take over the Ecos science centre.
A £1.6m (US$2.3m, €2m,) investment from the Big Lottery Fund will breathe new life into the Ecos development – an interpretative centre focused on climate change and the environment that opened in Ballymena, County Antrim, in 2000 and has since lost its lustre.
“Originally a millennium project and later funded through the Big Lottery Fund, Ecos focused on a major issue for the 21st century: innovations in sustainability,” said NI Science Park’s director of corporate services, Mervyn Watley.
“Unfortunately, the technology to deliver its own vision was not available or affordable, so visitors to the iconic building and the wetland park surrounding it have diminished.”
He added: “Working with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, the Northern Ireland Science Park hopes to change that. Indeed, our goals aren’t a million miles apart – the common theme being innovation.”
Ecos will be a facility to complement the existing NI Science Park campuses. As well as hosting commercial and private enterprises, the overall scheme will allow for public education on the environment and innovation.
According to NI Science Park, the visitor centre will allow people “to explore the science, technology and enterprise of the region, past and present, especially in the context of the global issues of sustainability”.
“We look forward to opening the doors in late 2016 when the site will come alive again, not only as a workspace, but also as a visitor attraction where innovation can be seen in action,” said mayor of Mid and East Antrim Billy Ashe.
The re-developed Ecos will work in tandem with the NI Science Park’s aims to facilitate innovation and grow the region’s knowledge economy. More than 150 science, technology and engineering companies are present at the park’s campuses, such as Dow Chemical, CITI Group and Fidessa.
“This is something our young people are still missing: the inspiration that science and technology jobs can be possible, right here in Northern Ireland,” Ashe said.
Fitting with this, the new Ecos is likely to host entrepreneurship programmes and work with local university and industry partners.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has approved a change of use application for the Ecos centre.
