Leiria, Portugal, May 26, 2026 (Lusa) - The Marinha Grande Council is dismantling the Municipal Exhibition Centre due to safety concerns after Storm Kristin severely damaged it, the mayor, Paulo Vicente, told Lusa on Tuesday.

"All the structures were shaken," he said, referring to the three pavilions that made up the Exhibition Centre.

“All those built at the back had collapsed. We even had historical archives there [which] had to be moved to another location,” he added.

In a press release, the council explained that demolition and dismantling work is currently underway at Marinha Grande's Exhibition Centre, following the serious damage caused by Storm Kristin on 28 January, which compromised the buildings' structural safety and rendered them unsafe for use.

"This is an urgent intervention, given the risk of total or partial collapse of some pavilions and the impossibility of ensuring safe conditions for workers, users and the public," the council said.

The aim is to create the conditions to consider the redevelopment of that municipal space at a later stage, the council added.

The demolition contract is budgeted at €454,926.17, plus VAT.

"It includes building-controlled demolition, the dismantling of structures, the removal and sorting of waste, and the complete cleaning of the affected areas, ensuring the proper disposal of materials and compliance with current environmental legislation," it added.

The Municipal Exhibition Centre consisted of three pavilions: one for sports, one for the market, and another, a multi-purpose space for events.

SR/MYAL // ADB.

Lusa