K-W Symphony says it's emerged from bankruptcy and plans concerts before year's end

The Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony is making a comeback after abruptly cancelling its season a little over a year ago and subsequently filing for bankruptcy.

"The Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony is pleased to announce its return from bankruptcy," a release on Wednesday said. 

The release outlined a court hearing during which a proposal to creditors was approved by the Superior Court of Ontario and resulted in the annulment of the bankruptcy.

"I'm absolutely delighted as is everybody associated with the board — the musicians, the volunteers, everybody," said Bill Poole, chair of the symphony's board of directors.

"This is just such a great place to be now after a year in the wilderness."

Poole became chair of the newly formed board of directors that was elected back in June. 

At the time, Poole said the symphony had "zero money" and needed to find a new way to operate.

Poole explained this annulment means KWS is debt free.

"Now we can start to move forward on a process for us to [think about the] reinvention, the role of the symphony within the community," Poole said, adding that will include having a sustainable operating model. 

At the next board meeting on Nov. 12, a document will be presented that will outline how the KWS will move forward, which Poole calls the "kind of fun, and interesting and super challenging part."

Two concerts at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Kitchener are being planned to close out the calendar year, with more expected in 2025. 

Poole asked the community to "spread the word and make sure these concerts are sold out," and thanked the public for their "overwhelming support over the past year."