By Jack Brittle, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
On May 12, Burlington City Council held their monthly Committee of the Whole meeting to discuss various items relevant to the city and its citizens.
David Shepherd, board chair of the Sound of Music (SOM), was one of four delegates scheduled to speak at the meeting and asked the city to provide a $225,000 bridge loan to “get us [SOM] through the festival,” and ensure the artists are paid before they get on stage.
Shepherd said that most of the money SOM gets comes through after the festival, but that they have to spend a lot of capital beforehand.
SOM was approved for a $125,000 grant by Ontario’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Gaming, with 60% given to them within 6–8 weeks before the festival. Shepherd said they have not received any of that money yet. Shepherd also said that they received the same grant last year and are still waiting for the first 40% to be delivered. He said that the delay may be because of the recent provincial election.
Shepherd spoke about some of the changes that SOM has made for this year’s festival.
“We expect to be cash flow positive this year and into next year,” Shepherd said. “We’ve rolled out an encore program where members of the community and long-standing fans can join our Sound and Music community and donate to help keep this festival free. We’ve changed our VIP area, there’s more value for your dollar. We have a 50/50 draw this year, and we have made partnerships with the Rotary Club, Burlington Lions Club, Burlington Old-Timers Hockey Club, and Burlington Dads for volunteers. We really want to make this a full community event.”
Shepherd also spoke about the impacts that tariffs have had on the festival.
“We used to have U.S.A. sponsors,” Shepherd said. “We’ve lost about $35,000 in sponsorships due to tariffs this year. U.S.A. companies have decided not to support our festival.”
Shepherd said that everything SOM is doing this year and next year is to ensure that the festival remains free.
Lisa Kearns, Ward 2 councillor, said that there is some sentiment in the community that the city and SOM need to “get off this merry-go-round of bridging loans.” She asked Shepherd how SOM is projecting to get out of this cycle.
“As much as I love the city and every person here, I’d rather not come here every year and ask for a bridge loan, so I’m right with you on that,” Shepherd said.
Shepherd said that he doesn’t see SOM needing another loan next year due to the cash flow positive projection and “significant changes to costing and profitability.”
Shepherd said that SOM has created a draft business plan for 2026 to go along with a comprehensive plan for the 2026 festival as requested by the city. Shepherd indicated that city staff’s help with preparing this report would be helpful. The city agreed to provide SOM’s board with assistance.
Shepherd said that grant money and proceeds from the festival would be used to pay back the loan.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward spoke about the current status of the festival before taking a vote on the bridge loan.
“I’ll just say that I agree with the delegate that we need to get off the rollercoaster of coming back for additional funds and get on some steady footing, financially and otherwise,” Meed Ward said. “When the organization is in a time of need, as they are now and have been before, we are always ready to answer the call.
The grant was approved unanimously.
