Opus Dei expansion plans spur local opposition

Roseaire Retreat and its plans for expansion

A $6 million plan to expand the Delray Beach retreat center of Opus Dei, the Catholic Church organization featured in Dan Brown’s hit novel “The Da Vinci Code,” has locals irked about the intrusion. The current plantation-style building spans 9,000 square feet and sits on 5.3 acres near the Kingsland Pines neighborhood. The additions, on which construction would likely begin next year, would increase the number of available guest rooms at Roseaire Retreat to 33 from nine and would include more dining and common areas, the organization said. At a recent meeting of the Site Plan Review and Appeals Board, neighbors voiced concerns that an expanded facility would ultimately be turned into drug rehabilitation center and that, since the property lies in an unincorporated section of Palm Beach County, residents have little say in the project. [Palm Beach Post]