The chances of the new £7.5m Sefton Water Centre in Crosby Coastal Park opening during October are looking increasingly unlikely following contention between the developer and the proposed operator.

Merseyside-based charity The Greenbank Project signed a lease for the building on 6 July, but Sefton Borough Council has yet to confirm Greenbank as the operator.

Gerry Kinsella, CEO of the social enterprise, said: "Greenbank has been committed to this development since May 2005. However, to the charity's shock and surprise it read in the media in July that the council intended to bring responsibility for the project 'in house'."

According to Greenbank, the current situation will result in a delayed opening date and a burden on local tax payers, as funding secured via the charity's efforts may have to be returned and instead sourced by the council, as the preferred operator, from its own coffers.

Funding came from the ERDF Objective 1 Fund (£2m), Learning & Skills Council (£500,000) and Sport England (£815,000).

Kinsella added: "Greenbank remains committed to providing education and training, sport, recreation and employment opportunities for disabled people and the local community in Sefton.

"It is our intention and desire to progress this wonderful project and to successfully run Sefton Water Sports Centre and help the people it was designed to help."

The facility, designed by architect Owen Ellis, integrates water sports provision with educational facilities, a conference centre, a fitness suite, a café and a restaurant/bar, and residential accommodation for people with disabilities.