The activity centre is behind the existing Kangaroo Flat Senior Citizens Centre in Lockwood Road and features spacious new activity rooms, kitchen facilities, dining room, new toilets, office and storage rooms, as well as an outdoor garden and courtyard.

Bendigo Mayor David Jones said the new centre is far superior to that previously available to the city's older residents.

"Up until July 2007, the PAG (planned activity group) and meals on wheels service operated out of an old building at the corner of Myers Street and St Andrews Avenue, which is now the site of the new Australian Technical College," Cr Jones said.

"The new PAG centre is a far superior facility with good access for both cars and buses."

Cr Jones said Bendigo's PAG services helped people maintain their ability to live at home, by providing a planned program of activities which enhance the skills people need for basic daily living and interacting with others, as well as offering respite to carers.

"By attending a PAG session, the clients have an opportunity to participate in small friendly groups, and take part in a range of activities and outings, like trips to the cinema and picnics," Cr Jones said.

In the last financial year, 730 PAG sessions were held in Greater Bendigo.

The opening of the Senior Citizens Festival also marked completion of Council's new $320,000 food services-meals on wheels distribution facility in Crook Street, Strathdale.

City of Greater Bendigo Council provided 40,000 meals through its food services program in the last financial year.

"The extended and upgraded kitchen facility will provide the city's meals on wheels volunteers with improved facilities and easier access to pick up meals for delivery," Cr Jones said.

"The new kitchen features new equipment, sinks, benches, chiller, cool stores, freezer, storage and pantries and a new volunteers' waiting room and office."

Both the new PAG building and new meals distribution centre, together with two new PAG transport buses, have been funded from the sale of land on the corner of Mundy Street and St Andrews Avenue, which is now home to the Australian Technical College.