Vandalism in Thessaloniki: Vandals Destroy Gymnasium under Construction

A closed gymnasium under construction in Trilofos, in the municipality of Thermi, eastern Thessaloniki, was vandalized by unknown individuals before its construction could be completed. The perpetrators entered the construction site, opened containers of materials that were on-site, and scattered them across the stands and the playing area.

The materials involved—adhesion primer and high-hardness acrylic plaster—bond with surfaces, making their removal extremely difficult. The damage was exacerbated as the materials spread over the prepared surface of the stands. The construction company immediately began scraping the materials with spatulas and scrapers, but the marks are still visible, and further specialized work will be needed in the future.

The closed gymnasium in Mikra, being constructed in the Trilofos area, is the fourth such facility in the municipality of Thermi, alongside those in Vasilika, Triadi, and Nea Rysio. The project, with an initial budget of approximately €3.5 million, is funded 78% by the municipality’s resources and the remainder by the “Philodimos II” program, with completion expected by May 2025.

“The vandalism of the Mikra gymnasium—especially before the building is even completed—leaves us astonished. I wonder how some people can resort to vandalizing a public project that is being built to meet their own needs. I urge the local community of Mikra, as well as all municipal units, to assist in protecting public space and municipal equipment. After all, it is primarily their property. I particularly appeal to parents to talk to their children about the importance of respect and protection of public spaces, which are essentially their second home,” said Thermi Mayor Theodoros Papadopoulos regarding the incident.

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