"We are an action-based council. We believe in Orem, and we believe in the arts," said Ronda Walker Weaver, chairwoman of the Orem Arts Council, in presenting its report to the Orem City Council on Tuesday.

One of the immediate priorities that appears to be well on its way to becoming a reality is the construction of a performance stage at City Center Park. Cultural Arts and Recreation Enrichment tax funding for the facility was approved by the City Council this spring.

"The city needs a physical presence of those CARE grants," Weaver said.

Gayla Muir, an Arts Council member who has been working with the city on the project, said surveying on the site is now being completed. Input will be received on architectural options for features of the stage, and a final design will be done. The project is expected to go out for bid in October.

Depending on weather, an estimated four weeks of construction will take place sometime between November and March, with mid-April set as the anticipated completion time. The Arts Council plans to have the month of May filled with events and performances from local high school arts programs to debut the new facility.

Another short-term Arts Council priority is to establish information areas throughout Orem, where materials can be collected and distributed regarding the arts. The Arts Council also wants to make the electronic means for accessing its Web site available throughout the city, and aggressively update and enhance the Web site, according to the report.

The Arts Council also recommended supporting the Hale Center Theater Orem in finding a new home near the SCERA Center for the Arts to create a theater district, and supporting the planned renovation of SCERA to establish Showhouse One as a performing arts center.

The Arts Council also advocates support for the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival and the Orem Library in the dream of establishing a storytelling district including the proposed Timpanogos Center for Story and Art on the City Center block.

Another goal is collaboration with the Recreation Advisory Commission to establish festivals or city gatherings throughout the year -- events that would utilize the theater and storytelling districts, and a promenade or public walkway, envisioned for 720 South, near the SCERA.

Construction of the promenade would include building a roundabout and sidewalks, and developing landscaping and public works of art. The Arts Council sees the possibility of eventually closing off the street completely when feasible, and having the city continue to buy up homes for sale along the street. The homes could be converted to a home base for the Arts Council; a community information desk; office space for artists; meeting rooms and classrooms; art studios where the public could watch artists at work; practice space; galleries; gift shops; and restaurants.

"We envision this promenade to be a gathering place for the public, to serve as an arts/entertainment hub, as well as a community center within the heart of Orem," the report stated.

"We realize this is a huge dream," said Adam Robertson, president and CEO of SCERA and a member of the Arts Council, "We realize that a lot would need to be done before this was possible."

Longer-term priorities in the report included designating a defined, multi-block area as Orem's Arts District with banners on State Street to identify it; developing a shuttle route through the district; and creating a children's museum.

"As I read through this [report], I'm just excited," said Councilwoman Margaret Black. "Something great is on the horizon in Orem."