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Our contractors, Beard, are making incredible progress across the site - so much so that it's hard to keep up with all the developments!
Here’s a quick snapshot of the latest groundworks underway:
- Manhole adjustments - brickwork is being completed around the manhole covers, bringing them up to their final levels.
- East side excavation - the remaining earth on the east side of the pool (near the entrance) is being dug out and prepped for hardcore fill to reach the final level.
- Shower base installation - in the last edition we showed you the shower bases at the east side of the pool, but now they're taking shape on the west side as well.
 The tent is now fully installed, providing protection for the pool from the weather.
To maintain the right conditions inside, large heaters will be fitted any day now with thermostatic controls. If the temperature drops below 8°C, the system automatically activates to ensure it stays above 5°C. This controlled environment is crucial for allowing the render to cure properly and without interruption
 Here’s a peek at what’s happening behind the curtain…
The team is currently screeding the top edges of the pool to create a perfectly level surface for the tiles to adhere to. Temporary timber guides are being used to ensure precision , which will be removed once the screed sets.
The pool walls are being rendered to create a smooth, even finish in preparation for painting. Once the walls are complete, attention will shift to the pool floor. The team will begin in the centre and work outward, deliberately leaving a 2-metre gap around the edges so they can continue working efficiently without disturbing the freshly finished areas.
 And behind the scenes in the plant room…
Barr and Wray have been hard at work installing the remaining filtration equipment. In this photo, you can see just some of the pipework that's been installed. This section is resting on precision-placed concrete blocks that were constructed a couple of months ago. The alignment is spot on, which just shows the level of planning and accuracy that’s gone into this project.
It’s truly impressive to see how all the components are coming together so seamlessly!
 And finally from the lido we now have the chemical store taking shape. Soon the team will install the chemical bund - a fully watertight containment system designed to safely capture any hazardous chemicals or liquids in the unlikely event of a leak. It’s a critical safety feature that ensures environmental protection and compliance with regulations.
 Earlier this week we welcome second-year journalism students from the University of Portsmouth.
As part of their course, these students were tasked with creating a campaign plan for the launch of Hilsea Lido. Those who achieved top marks were invited to present their impressive ideas to our marketing team and senior officers.
With a special thanks to Beard for providing their meeting room, safety equipment, and a tour of the project.
Their tutor emphasised the importance of working on real-life events, allowing students to be able to clearly visualise their work and build genuine excitement. This hands-on experience is invaluable for their future careers.
 For those of you that are new to this newsletter, this is Dave. He's a site manager for Beard who usually works at the lido but is temporarily placed at a school in Havant - he'll be back in no time though.
Foster Care Fortnight began on Monday 12 May and we are celebrating our foster carers for their incredible dedication and love.
Dave and his wife have been foster carers for 30 years! At the moment they are caring for two wonderful girls, aged 16 and 14. As category 3 carers, they provide specialised support, including respite care.
Dave and his wife aim to give the children safety and security and teach them valuable life skills, like managing pocket money. They love trips to Home Bargains and Poundland!
Health and fitness are a priority, with regular exercise and calorie watching. One of the girls, initially afraid of swimming, now confidently swims a width of a pool unaided thanks to Dave's twice-weekly swimming lessons.
The girls are excited for the lido opening, as one has just learned to swim and the other loves swimming in the sea.
If you want to learn more about fostering, Foster Portsmouth are holding a drop-in foster carer recruitment event on the morning of Saturday 24 May between 10am-1pm at the Holiday Inn, Farlington.
Check out this new mural at Hilsea Station, depicting life in the First World War trenches. This artwork is part of a series of improvements to the station, made possible by a £50,000 grant from South Western Railway's Customer and Communities Improvement Fund.
The mural, coordinated by Thinking Bigger and painted by Spike Zephaniah Stephenson, directs to the nearby WW1 Remembrance Centre.
The launch was marked by a 'yarn bomb' of crocheted poppies, created by volunteers from across the city and supported by Seeded.
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As a special treat to those of you who made it to the end of this very long newsletter, a swan has made a nest nearby and has had seven baby cygnets.
The North Portsea Coastal Scheme is committed to protecting local wildlife throughout their work. While a major sea defence project inevitably has an impact, they've taken extensive measures to minimise disruption.
These heartwarming sights remind us that careful planning can help nature flourish alongside vital coastal protection.
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