The Laguna Beach Christian Retreat, a 2,000-bed facility on Panama City Beach has opened its doors to hurricane evacuees.

The retreat, which normally caters to Christian groups and families, can handle 300 people over the Labor Day weekend and probably will be able to handle at least 500 after Monday, General Manager Dave Haas said.

There is no charge for evacuees to stay at the retreat, located at 20016 Front Beach Road.

In addition to a room and a bed, people who move into the retreat will have access to the retreat’s basketball courts, volleyball courts and swimming pool.
People who are not staying at the retreat can stop in for meals.

Also on Thursday, the Hospice of the Emerald Coast issued a news release announcing its services were available to any hospice patients who evacuated their homes due to Hurricane Katrina. The business can be reached at (850) 769-0055.

Anyone interested in donating goods or volunteering to help should call the retreat at 234-2502.