GORHAM – With the owner of the Centre of Movement in Gorham facing a mandate for a code upgrade and an approaching deadline, the future of the school’s landmark building in the heart of Gorham Village is uncertain.

Victoria Lloyd said on Tuesday she has an Oct. 13 deadline to bring the building into compliance with safety codes. At the beginning of this year, she was prohibited from holding shows in the building, but was permitted to continue classes. But, the town could shut down the building if codes remain unmet.

Estimates earlier this year pegged the costs to install a sprinkler and alarm system, along with emergency crash doors, in the building at $80,000.

“We’re fundraising like crazy, Lloyd said.

Besides raising funds, Lloyd hopes for a deadline extension agreement. Lloyd said she is set to meet with Gorham Fire Department officials at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7, in her building.

She expects a town lawyer to attend and she has retained a lawyer to represent her pro bono in Thursday’s meeting.

“I hope we can resolve this,” Lloyd said.

Gorham Fire Chief Robert Lefebvre said on Tuesday another inspection is planned at Thursday’s meeting. “We’ll look and see what’s been done,” Lefebvre said. “If there’s a time extension, it won’t be any great time extension.”

Gorham fire officials cited several code violations in an inspection in September. Lloyd had signed a plan of action with a timetable to rectify code infractions. She said she agreed, feeling she had no alternative.

Last week, Lloyd was taken to court about the matter and she said the town claimed nothing had been done. But, Lloyd said, she showed the judge evidence of work progress.

Lloyd said she had remedied the less-costly violations she was cited for last year, but the three big tickets remain to be installed. She requested court-approved mediation that the judge said couldn’t be granted. She said the judge told her another hearing would be set for sometime after Sept. 1.

Following court last week, Lloyd agreed to meet with fire officials on Thursday. Without a time extension, she could be forced to rent space for classes elsewhere in Gorham Village and sell her building.

Lloyd worries that it could be demolished and turned into a parking lot.

Her building at 19 State St. for decades housed Gorham Grange No. 54 beginning in 1880, and in the more recent past had been a flea market. Lloyd has operated her school there for 32 years and she has owned building since 2002.

So, the community is stepping forward to help.

A Gorham resident, Krista Nadeau, organized an online fundraiser that was launched just days ago. Nadeau, who said she has no ties to the Centre of Movement, said on Tuesday the campaign has raised $1,600 so far.

One of Lloyd’s adult dance students, Debbie Root of Raymond, walked into the Centre of Movement and laid five $100 bills on Lloyd’s desk.

Lloyd broke down in tears and the two hugged. Root, whose grandchildren take classes there, said Lloyd had helped her during a difficult time.

“I call her one of my angels,” Root said.

Besides a variety of dance and gymnastic classes, the Centre of Movement offers lessons in theater, music and drumming.

“We want to keep doing what we’re doing,” Lloyd said.

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A CLOSER LOOK

Those wishing to donate online to aid the Centre of Movement building improvements can visit www.indiegogo.com/projects/savethecentre or call the Centre of Movement at 839-3267.

In January, Victoria Lloyd posed by the Centre of Movement building in Gorham Village. She has an Oct. 13 deadline to bring the building into compliance with safety codes.