By Pepper Parr
November 28th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
We knew the Sound of Music (SoM) was in trouble – now we know just how much.
Is this event about to come to an end?
When we last asked the City Communications people when the $125k that was loaned was due to be repaid – we were told we would have to get that answer from the SoM people – And they ain’t talking.
In a report that will go to a Council Standing Committee next week Staff layout several options.
Careers have started on this stage.
Option 1: This option supports the SOM board proposal, as outlined in Appendix B where the city would forgive the arrears amount of approximately $95K and proceed with the mutually agreed upon re-payment terms for the $125K loan. In this option, staff would provide Sound of Music with its 2025 $150K grant in January and request a comprehensive business plan for the 2026 Festival to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Community Services, Commissioner of Legal Services and Chief Financial Officer. This status quo approach would include a detailed service level agreement, incorporating elements from the recently endorsed Accountability Framework, to guide future collaboration and ensure clear expectations moving forward.
Note: The Appendix B mentioned will be part of another article,
Option 2: This option suggests that the city pause the 2025 grant, forgive the arrears amount totaling approximately $95K and the $125K loan. This option also recommends that SOM take a one-year hiatus from the festival to allow time for strategic planning and the exploration of potential long-term partnership opportunities. This option allows the BOD dedicated time to focus on the evolution of the festival with the goals of meeting Burlington’s community needs while remaining fiscally responsible. Going forward, all future grants would be contingent upon the establishment of a detailed service level agreement, incorporating principles from the recently endorsed Accountability Framework, to ensure clear expectations and accountability moving forward.
She is having a great time – biggest free musical festival in the country – and it is in trouble.
Option 3: This option proposes that the city forgive the outstanding arrears, which total approximately $95,000. Under this plan, the city would follow the repayment schedule outlined in Appendix B, recouping $45,000 from the upcoming payments due from January to June 2025. This amount would be deducted from the 2025 grant, reducing it to $105,000. The remaining $80,000 of the loan repayment would be due by September 1, 2025, as outlined in SOM’s proposal. Additionally, the city would encourage SOM’s Board of Directors to consider scaling down the 2025 event as part of a strategy to rebuild and plan for future sustainability. Going forward, all future grants would be contingent upon the establishment of a detailed service level agreement that incorporates the principles from the newly endorsed Accountability Framework, ensuring clear expectations and accountability
Sound of Music will have problems with expectations and accountability –it’s never been something they ever managed to get a firm grip on.
For those of you who want to get your two cents worth in on this issue: BRAG Burlington Residents’ Action Group is running a survey. Here is the link to that.
Related news stories:
What happened to the idea that Performing Arts would take over SoM?
I don’t know why they got rid of the paid event. Pretty sure it made money to support the free one.
I didn’t see a lot of “toonie for a tune” buckets either.
There is no reason this event shouldn’t be making money for the city. Better management is key.
I personally love the SOM and would hate to see it go. Perhaps the local businesses that profit from the event could contribute in some form. If not monetary than voluntary manpower or resources.
Bring back the paid event and scale down the free one for a year.shiwcase local bands for the year, make it an all Canadian music year for the free event and get some good negotiators to sign the talent. I’m sure local artists would be willing to play for a little less to save this amazing event!
Why do all of the city’s options forgive the payment back of the loan? Their reckless use of taxpayer money continues …
In trouble, poorly managed or a post covid victim? IMO a bit of each and if they take a break it is gone for good.
The municipal accomodation tax (MAT) is being used for
“A budget of $1.15M has been allocated for the detailed design phase of the
Waterfront Renewal Project ”
“$350K allocated to the addition of servicing and utilities to enhance event
infrastructure at Burloak Park”
Should some of this money go to Sound of Music? The fesitival must make the hotels busier.
BRAG is running a survey on get opinions/ideas on the Sound of Music:
https://forms.gle/AFsMVAez3bTdp4Vs6
The report on the MAT tax is here: https://burlingtonpublishing.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=83171
The Provincial Conservation Party under Doug Ford have essentially eliminated provincial funding for the Sound of Music. Big Business (i.e. Live Nation, AKA Ticket Master wants to turn it into a for-profit, ticketed event.
How did the festival go from a multi million dollar production to hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt? It sounds like mismanagement! Does the board not have a fiduciary duty to repay taxpayers money?! They should get nothing until the money borrowed is paid in full.
This festival has for many years been dependent on the city bailing them out.
Time to mothball this festival and move on. Times have changed and it seems quite evident that the public is willing to go to this festival but not willing to pay to attend it.
Taxpayer money can be better spent.