GASTONIA, N.C.,None — Gastonia city leaders made a drastic decision: They don't want anyone holding events at their new $10 million conference center because they're worried it may not be safe.
The center canceled two events this week and is refunding the deposits.
It all started in the ballroom upstairs. People said the floor bounced when they danced.
City leaders hired Ferguson Structural Engineering to scope out the building. It thinks the floor is safe, but that there may be other problems: the drive-through's ceiling, the height of the brickwork and the way certain walls are connected.
But the firm has more work to do. At this point, no one's saying the center is definitely dangerous. But city leaders aren't taking chances. They recommend the center cancel all of its events for the time being, and it is.
“They should probably just leave it closed until they get it figured out,” Gastonia resident Timothy Comer said.
The group that designed the building, WGPM, defends its work. It emailed Eyewitness News, "WGPM is investigating the issues and we are working diligently to verify if they are valid and find solutions if necessary."
City leaders would not discuss any of this on camera. One council member, Walter Kimble, told Eyewitness News they're waiting to speak with one voice, but "the safety of our citizens and our guests...is the number one priority of the city."
They're waiting for more information. They want to know whether there are problems, whether someone has to fix them and, if so, who should pay for it.