The central roof section of The Hydro, the 12,000-capacity entertainment arena being built in Glasgow, has been lifted into place.

The fixing in place of the 48 metre diameter central section took five-days. Over that period the giant steel central section, weighing 330 tonnes, slowly moved up the height of a 48-metre high temporary tower via eight hydraulic jacks stationed at the top of tower with steel cables connected to lifting eyes.

Executive GM Gordon Anderson said the operation was the "most complex feat of engineering in Scotland this year", and is a key move in the construction by Land Lease of The Hydro, which sits adjacent to the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC).

"The next step involves the positioning of 16 roof segments between the perimeter of the building and the central section. These 36-metre long segments have been assembled in the SECC car park over recent weeks and are now ready to be in place," he adds.

SECC chief executive, John Sharkey, says: "We are delighted to have reached this milestone in the construction of The Hydro. It has been a complex procedure and represents a great achievement by Lend Lease and the project team. We look forward to watching The Hydro as it evolves into Scotland's home of live entertainment and the perfect place for future audiences to also enjoy raising the roof!"

The Hydro, designed by Foster and Partners, will open in September 2013. It will play host to around 140 events each year and has the potential to inject an additional £131m into the local economy.

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