After a series of public hearings, the council announced where it would put its $2.1 million in recreational and cultural arts grant money.

More than $1 million was awarded to eight cultural arts applicants, and nearly $1 million was earmarked for future property acquisition, recreation, administration, the arts council and a contingency fund.

The biggest winner from this year's grants: Orem's recreation programs.

The council earmarked $500,000 for the potential acquisition of new playing fields and for other upgrades, such as soccer field lights.

Mark Hansen, chair of the recreation advisory commission, said Orem will need new fields to meet a growing interest in lacrosse and climbing participation in the city's soccer programs.

"The ability to provide more playing area was far and away the most critical issue on people's minds," Hansen said. "Our concern is that, if we lose fields, there won't be enough available to let everybody play."

Louise Wallace, director of the Orem Library, said the city received 28 applications for a variety of needs.

"These are all very worthy causes," she said. "But . . . the total dollar amount of requests far exceeds the total revenue we expect to be generated."

The city expects the ongoing one-tenth of a percent sales-tax increase to generate about $1.8 million annually over the next eight years - the time frame for which the tax hike was authorized in a November 2005 vote.

One council member called the award process a "learning experience" and said she was disappointed those who pushed for the tax to be implemented felt they were entitled to the money it generated. She said the city would have to refine its procedure in the future.

"This is an unpleasant process. It's painful, and it's been very difficult," said Councilwoman Karen McCandless. "I'm sad there wasn't enough money to go to everybody. There were many worthy applicants."

Private nonprofit organizations still have to hash out contracts with the city to ensure accountability before the money officially becomes available. That is expected to occur before July 1. Recipients receive funding on a yearly basis and will have to re-apply each year they want grant money.

sgehrke@sltrib.com