Hopkinton’s Columbia Hall will be closing Oct. 1, leaving the Recreation Department scrambling to find somewhere to hold multiple programs.

Two outside firms checked on the safety of the building, finding concern over the trusses supporting the roof.

Selectman George Langwasser said the decision came down to the safety of residents inside the building.

“Safety is first and foremost,” Langwasser said. “No one can predict if the roof will fall in, but it’s very weak and cracked in certain places. Perhaps a heavy snowload or wind could cause it to come in. We decided it was of the best safety interest to shut down Columbia Hall.”

Langwasser said the board will need to decide what direction to go in, whether it will fix the roof and reopen the building or ask the Recreation Department to continue looking for other places to hold its programs.

“It’s going to create some problems for the Recreation Department,” said Langwasser. Recreation Director Justin La Vigne said he is already feeling the crunch of finding a replacement venue for his programs, which include a stained-glass program, scrapbooking workshop and Tumbling Tots class.

“I’m working to find new locations to move programs to, but it’s a short amount of time,” said La Vigne. “I have some good leads. The community is really being supportive. We’re looking into the schools, but those are heavily used.”

In addition to the programs, La Vigne said groups in town often rent out the upper floor of Columbia Hall.

“The building is for the community. We’re trying to help out as many people as I can,” La Vigne said.

One potential solution could come in a building that doesn’t yet exist, he said.

“Shutting it down is totally understandable if it isn’t safe. I don’t want anyone hurt,” said La Vigne. “As for a place to have the programs, ideally I think this town needs a community center. Columbia Hall would be nice if it’s feasible, but if not I think it’d be great to build one, and that’s something that could be talked about at Town Meeting.”