Now the project has received ‘levelling up’ funding from the government the work can begin to fully assess what is needed to bring the pool back into community use again.
Next month (March 2024) residents can find out more about the plans with three drop in sessions and meet Portsmouth City Council's Hilsea Lido project team. They are on Monday, March 4 - Hilsea Lido Blue Lagoon from 4pm to 6pm, Tuesday, March 5 - Cosham Library from midday to 2pm and Thursday, March 7 - North End Library from midday to 2pm.
We can’t wait to see what the team has in store. Until then we look back at some pictures of the facility in its heyday – which we cannot wait to see return!
![Happy days at the Hilsea Lido splash pool in July 2006 - it looks very different now](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjMzNzI0ZDFiLTI5OWQtNDBhMi1hOWI4LTAzZjQ2ODBiNTM2ZDo3ZWVkYzI1Zi1iNDM0LTQwNDgtOWM4Mi1hMTU3OTBkNjFhMTQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
1. Hilsea Lido
Happy days at the Hilsea Lido splash pool in July 2006 - it looks very different nowPhoto: Malcolm Wells
![The crowds enjoy both the weather and the warm water at Hilsea Lido in 2010](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjE4NzkwNDZjLWMzYzEtNGNiYS1iMmRhLTExYTgxMWYzNjQ3MDplYzE4YjIwZS1kZmEwLTRiZTAtYjRjOC03MTRmOGY0MGUzMzU=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
2. Hilsea Lido
The crowds enjoy both the weather and the warm water at Hilsea Lido in 2010Photo: Malcolm Wells
![A packed splash pool - next to the main Lido - in June 1986](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjczYmU0ZGQyLTdmZWYtNDk1Ni1hYzRiLTg5MzI5YmMzZmRkNTpiOGJhMzc4MS1iNjA0LTRiNDUtOGMyMy1mOTI3MzVhNzQxNWQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
3. Hilsea Lido
A packed splash pool - next to the main Lido - in June 1986Photo: CHRIS OWEN
![Swimmers having fun at Hilsea Lido](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjA0MGUwM2IxLWQ3M2UtNDFlOC1hYmExLWUzMjVhYTZkYTliZjowNGM4ZWZlOC00MWYxLTQ4YTktYTVmNC0yZDMxYTZkZmEwYjM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)