Methane Tests Near Bowman Gray Stadium Come Back Negative

Winston-Salem officials have determined that a methane plume near Bowman Gray Stadium has not spread to the structures nearby.

Keith Huff is the storm-water erosion control director for the city. He says the latest round of testing included 15 private homes as well as several areas used by the public.

“Bowman Gray Stadium proper was swept. Any kind of ticket booth, the bathroom, the field house was swept top to bottom," he says. " The adjacent structures around Civitan Park were swept.  And no methane was found in any of those structures.”

Huff says it's dangerous when methane accumulates in high amounts inside buildings. It creates a risk of suffocation, and could also lead to an explosion.

The plume was discovered this spring – apparently a by-product of a solid-waste landfill that operated in the area decades ago.

High levels of methane have been found in the stadium's parking lot and in soil samples nearby.

The city is working with consultants to determine the best way to get rid of the methane. Huff says he expects to brief the city council on a plan in October.