THE Ballarat Lawn Tennis Club can have up to eight tennis courts at Prince of Wales Park but they must fit into the site designated on the park's master plan.The club must also agree with Ballarat City Council on the level of public use and access, capital investment and maintenance.If the club doesn't agree with the decision, council will support it to find an alternative location on public land.Speaking at a recent ordinary council meeting, Cr Judy Verlin said council should demonstrate leadership on the issue after a protracted dispute between the Ballarat Lawn Tennis Club and the Ballarat Golf Club led to a Supreme Court hearing earlier this year.In its recent multi-million dollar redevelopment, the golf club built a car park on an area designed for six tennis courts.The tennis club sought $1.56million in compensation, finally agreeing for the golf club to pay for the design and construction of up to eight courts and contributions of up to $100,000 towards clubhouse facilities.More than 30 representatives from both the golf and tennis clubs were at the council meeting, with several speaking on the subject. Ballarat Lawn Tennis Club members Dennis Day, Robert Hill and Max McLean all urged council to agree to an eight court proposal."It's just a question of two courts and some expansion," Mr McLean said.But Ballarat Golf Club financial director Paul Foley said it was in the best interests of both clubs to have only six courts."It will allow them to peel away from the golf club and form their own destiny," Mr Foley said.Council's development and growth director Eric Braslis said it would be difficult to provide eight courts to Tennis Australia standards without removing a flood retention basin at the park."It's an extremely unfortunate situation, two clubs in conflict like this," Cr Verlin said."It would be a great result if both clubs not only survive but flourish into the future."Cr Verlin said she believed planned expansion in Ballarat West would see the eight courts fully used.