IT will be party time at the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum next week as the popular leisure and sports venue in Enniskillen celebrates its 40th anniversary.

To mark 40 years since its official opening on May 19, 1976, the Forum is hosting a series of fun-filled activities for all ages next Thursday.

Speaking to the Impartial Reporter this week, manager Emma McManus said that the celebrations planned for next week had “something for everyone”, encapsulating the spirit of the lakeside facility, which caters for young and old.

Among the regular users of the Forum, Emma said that there was a group of friends from Enniskillen who had been playing five-a-side football there every week since it opened 40 years ago.

She said: “For these men it’s all about enjoying the craic with each other, keeping fit and catching up with their news from the week.

“Over the years, the make-up of the group has changed. They are here every Friday night and now there are fathers and sons playing together, with neighbours joining in.

“Every week at 11pm, when the staff are going home, these men are still out in the car park chatting!”

The manager, who has been in charge for the last five years, said it would “do your heart good” to see the Forum on a typical Saturday morning and afternoon.

She said: “It’s so busy and there is a great buzz around the place. We have ‘Baby Splash’ swimming classes for youngsters from four months up to four years old.

“There would be around 100 children doing gymnastics and another 100 learning dance with Dylan Quinn.

“In the morning, we have children playing football, with adult matches taking place in the afternoon. The 3G pitch is used by the Special Olympics athletes.

“Fitness classes are popular and our gym is full of people. Our customers want to do something that’s good for their mind and their body.”

Emphasising that the Forum is a venue for all ages, Emma said that senior membership had increased by 22 per cent over the last six months. The activities on offer for older people include tea dances, bridge and arts classes.

She also revealed that the Forum’s soft play area for children, Mowgli’s Den, which is currently closed for a total refurbishment, will be open again at the start of June.

“It’s for children aged six and under and is really, really popular. It’s great for them to have somewhere to play whenever it’s too cold or wet outside,” she added.

Looking ahead to next Thursday, Emma promised that the planned celebrations would have “something for everyone”.

She said: “There will be light refreshments and DJs playing music between 4pm and 6pm. A bouncy castle and a variety of children’s characters will be sure to keep the younger ones entertained.

“An exhibition in the Forum itself will offer a trip down memory lane for our long-time users. Scrapbooks filled with photographs and newspaper articles from the last 40 years will also be on display.

“I’m sure people will enjoy looking back at the various fashions and spot themselves at different events through the years!”

The party will continue on throughout the evening, with a ‘Bubble football’ competition due to start at 7.30pm. All the regular five-a-side teams who use the Forum have been invited to take part.

Entry to this competition is free, but any teams looking to participate must book in advance.

Meanwhile, the Forum’s close links with schools in Fermanagh will be marked through two competitions that are being held next week.

An end-of-term swimming gala has been organised for next Tuesday morning, with a netball competition taking place on next Thursday.

Both of these events are for local primary schools and are by invite only.