A HIGHLY-decorated Special Olympian who has won medals in competitions across the globe has paid tribute to the instrumental role the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum has had in his success over the years.

Enniskillen man Barry Goan (46), who has Down’s syndrome, has been training at the lakeside venue for the last 30 years and has represented his country at international events in swimming, gymnastics and, more recently, golf.

In a glittering career, Barry was the Northern Ireland Special Olympics Gymnastic Masters Champion from 1989 to 1994, a silver medallist at the European Special Olympic Games in 1990 and again at the World Special Olympic Games in 1991, and was named Fermanagh Sports Personality of the Year in 1992.

The talented sportsman also helped Ulster win the Special Olympics Triple Crown Golf event several years ago and was named the Impartial Reporter’s 2012 Disability Sports Person of the Year.

Originally from Henry Street, not far from the Forum, Barry first used the facility as a youngster soon after it opened in May 1976. He remembers taking part in a swimming programme with Christy Shannon when he was a pupil at Killadeas school.

Barry later got involved in gymnastics and flourished under the guidance of coach Lillian Reid.

While he is proud to have represented Ireland at the European Games in Scotland in 1990, the Fermanagh man said his biggest achievement to date was competing in the World Games in Minneapolis, USA the following year.

Narrowly losing out on a gold medal in the gymnastics competition, the trip to the USA was also memorable for other reasons. Late musical legend, Prince, a native of Minneapolis, performed a concert for the athletes at the event.

Barry described seeing the acclaimed singer, who died suddenly at his home last month, on stage as “class”.

A very dedicated and focused individual, Barry has also competed in swimming events at an international level, receiving coaching over the years from Benny Burns, who taught him breast stroke, and Marie Carroll.

The award-winning Special Olympian has been regularly using the Lakeland Forum for around 30 years and retains a special fondness for the building, its staff and customers. Now living in Windmill Heights, Barry attends the Forum for training four days a week.

On the days he is training Barry gets up at 6.15am, eats his breakfast and is at the Forum for 8am – a mark of his pure dedication. His exhausting fitness regime involves 50 to 60 minutes on a treadmill, 45 to 60 minutes on an exercise bike (sometimes varied with a cross trainer), a circuit of weights and core exercises.

As well as helping to maintain his fitness levels, Barry said the social aspect of using the Forum has been just as important to him. A familiar face in the fitness suite, he has made a lot of friends of all ages there over the last three decades.

“This place has been really good for me,” he said.

Praising the staff who had assisted him down through the years, the Enniskillen man said the other customers were “really friendly”.

Barry reserved special words of praise for the facility’s previous manager, the long-serving Iain Kennedy, and his successor, present incumbent Emma McManus, saying that he got on “really well” with both of them.

The lifelong Liverpool FC fan is just one of many people from across Fermanagh to have had their lives changed through using the Lakeland Forum since it first opened to the public in 1976.

In two weeks’ time, the popular Enniskillen venue will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a special event on Thursday, May 19.

Between 4pm and 6pm, there will be a DJ playing music, along with face painting and spot prizes. Light refreshments will be available.

Throughout the week of the anniversary, the Forum will also be holding a swimming gala, netball competition and a five-a-side bubble football tournament.