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Hilsea Lido Temporary Roof Project

Hilsea Lido Temporary Roof Project

In April 2025, the Altrad Generation Reading team played a key part in the major refurbishment project at the historic Hilsea Lido in Portsmouth, helping to prepare the much loved outdoor pool for its reopening to the public in Spring 2026.

Project

Project

To support the Hilsea Lido refurbishment project, our team worked closely with the client to develop a practical and reliable solution that would fully protect the refurbishment works taking place inside the pool. The project involved raising the floor of the pool, re-tiling the basin, and upgrading the plant room, all of which required a dry and controlled environment to ensure the works could be completed safely and efficiently.

The project presented an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the flexibility and strength of the Uni-Roof Temporary Roof system, delivering full weather protection while accommodating the unique challenges of building over a swimming pool.

Utilising the Uni-Roof Temporary Roof System and D78 Beams, the Altrad Generation Reading team designed and supplied a 67m x 23m temporary roof to protect the essential works at the pool. 

Challenges

Challenges

Constructing a temporary roof over an outdoor swimming pool presented a unique set of challenges. With the roof spanning directly across the pool, there was no perimeter scaffolding available for the structure to sit on. Instead, the roof needed to be designed and erected entirely from the ground up while still spanning the full width of the pool safely and efficiently. Space around the pool was also extremely limited. Tight access on either side meant that materials, equipment and personnel had to operate within a restricted working footprint. This required careful planning and a design that could be installed with minimal space while still providing the required coverage and structural stability.

Additionally, the roof had to be fully enclosed. The refurbishment works inside the pool demanded a controlled environment that protected against weather and helped maintain suitable working conditions for the trades operating within the structure.

Solution

Solution

To meet these requirements, an arched Uni-Roof Temporary Roof System using D78 Beams was selected. The structure was built directly from the ground, with three ridge beams creating an arch-like design that allowed the roof to span the pool while maintaining structural strength and stability. Once in place, the fully enclosed structure provided reliable weather protection and a more controlled internal environment for the refurbishment works. The arched design also created enough clearance around the pool edges for workers to move comfortably and carry out their tasks efficiently.

To further improve efficiency during installation, the client introduced a mobile gantry system within the structure. This enabled operatives to work at height more easily while the roof was being assembled, reducing the need to climb across the structure during construction.

The completed installation demonstrates the versatility and capability of the Uni-Roof Temporary Roof system. By providing large-span coverage, efficient installation and complete weather protection, the system helped ensure that the refurbishment of Hilsea Lido could progress smoothly and remain on track for its planned reopening to the public in Spring 2026.

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