GORHAM – The owner of a Gorham performing arts school worries she might have to sell her historic building after public officials, alleging a string of safety violations, shut down New Year’s Eve shows there.

Victoria “Vic” Lloyd of Gorham, owner of Centre of Movement School of Performing Arts, at 19 State St., signed an agreement with the town in late December stipulating a timetable for compliance. She signed after meeting in October about the matter at Gorham Municipal Center with a group of several officials, including Gorham Fire Department and a State Fire Marshal’s Office representatives.

For now, Lloyd is allowed to hold classes in the building, but is prohibited from holding group functions and performances there.

“We’re going to try really hard to meet the time limits,” Lloyd, 72, said. “There is no negotiating on it. It’s their way or the highway.”

Gorham Fire Chief Robert Lefebvre said on Tuesday that 21 violations were found at the building, which was inspected on Sept. 26. Lefebvre said issues included the electrical and heating systems and blocked exits.

Lefebvre said the building also lacks sprinkler and alarm systems that are required under both state law and Gorham ordinances. Lefebvre said the building is considered an assembly facility.

Facing work costing thousands of dollars, Lloyd is seeking professional advice about the financial aspects of an upgrade. But, she’s attached to the building and hopes it doesn’t become a future parking lot.

“It’s got history,” Lloyd said. “Good things happen here.”

More than a century old, the building housed Gorham Grange No. 54 as far back as 1880, according to Gorham tax records. In more recent years, the building in Gorham Village was utilized by previous owners as a flea market before Lloyd bought it in 2004. She first had leased space there.

“When I bought it, it had an ax handle holding the door shut on the wood stove,” Lloyd said.

The Centre of Movement is 30 years old, according to its website, and previously had been located at another village site. Lloyd also owns a Centre of Movement in Limington.

Centre of Movement classes include theater, ballet, tap, hip-hop, contemporary/lyrical, ballroom, gymnastics, drumming, musical comedy, and vocal lessons.

Her oldest student is age 70 and the youngest 21?2. A dance team from the school will travel to Las Vegas this summer for national competition.

Her Gorham facility is located near the busy intersection of routes 25 and 114 and her lot has 11 private parking spaces.

Gorham Economic Development Director Tom Ellsworth said it’s a “great spot” for Lloyd and her customers.

“We want to see her succeed and stay in business,” Ellsworth said.

But now, Lloyd might augment her income by seeking an extra job to pay for mandated requirements.

Lloyd estimates a sprinkler system would cost $40,000 and an alarm system, $16,000.

“It’s the big items that are terrifying,” she said.

She said authorities want replacement of five doors, including the front entrance, with metal “crash” doors, which she estimated would cost $4,000.

“I don’t agree with the need to change the front door,” she said.

Lefebvre said she signed a plan of action about a week ago. She said she signed at the insistence of authorities and she feared they would “close me up.” She said she has six months to install an alarm system and 18 months for a sprinkler system.

Lefebvre said the building can be open for classes.

Lloyd said she can’t hold group functions like a children’s play and cookie parties. A tap dance performance, Festival of Feet, has been postponed.

“Our performances will be in other venues,” Lloyd said.

“We did shut down programs on New Year’s Eve,” Lefebvre said.

Town fire officials periodically inspect buildings that include businesses, multi-family housing, schools, renovations and new construction. About the same time of the inspection at the Centre of Movement, Lefebvre said, another dance studio in Gorham Village was inspected, as were five buildings on the University of Southern Maine campus in Gorham.

“They are not being singled out,” Lefebvre said about the Centre of Movement.

Lloyd said the inspection was the first since she owned the building.

Lefebvre said Gorham’s fire inspector position is part time and inspections are done as time allows. His records indicate that the building was inspected in 2002 and some of the same violations remained.

She said violations cited last fall included extension cords, which have since been removed from air conditioning units, and electrical outlet covers that were painted to match wall color. The inspector told her the covers could not be painted, she said.

Lloyd said on Tuesday an electrician has already begun work and she has a carpenter lined up to raise a banister railing on steps.

“I need new exit signs,” Lloyd said, “a minor expense.”

Lefebvre said his department would review work in about a week. She agreed to a timetable, Lefebvre said, “and we’re hoping she adheres.”

“We’re doing things as fast as we can,” Lloyd said.

Victoria Lloyd, founder and director of the Centre of Movement in Gorham, faces investing thousands of dollars following violations cited in a fire safety inspection.