Lyndoch Living clients, residents and staff clocked up 125 kilometres in four days this week on exercise machines to celebrate the opening of the centre’s new rehabilitation services space, called The Stables.

The distance took participants, metaphorically speaking, collectively close to Cressy, north of Colac, and won a prize for the person who guessed the closest town to the finishing point.

The competition was one of a number of activities held this week to celebrate the creation of The Stables rehabilitation space, which was officially declared open by Commonwealth Games marathon runner Moloney.

Among the competition participants was Barb Peskett who said she made a minor contribution to the distance tally and enjoyed it.

She said she and her husband had regularly used the exercise machines in their previous location at Lyndoch to keep agile.

The new rehabilitation space, created in a former stables off Marfell Road at Lyndoch, replaces a rehabilitation area that had been located near Lyndoch’s day centre.

Lyndoch’s rehabilitation services acting chief Belinda Van Zelst said the new centre would serve Lyndoch clients who lived in their own homes as well as Lyndoch residents.

It would serve not only those who were recovering from injuries such as a stroke or a knee replacement but also elderly people who wanted to have an active lifestyle so they were able to live at home.

It offered general exercise classes as well as exercise programs for people with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease and Pilates classes for staff.

Apart from the exercise distance challenge, The Stables also this week held come and try sessions, walking groups and Tai Chi beginner classes to promote the new space.

Lyndoch Living chief executive Doreen Power said the creation of The Stables rehabilitation space was part of Lyndoch’s master plan.

The plan was “changing the face of Lyndoch, opening it up to the community,” Ms Power said.

The new rehabilitation centre was “a modern and light facility with new equipment,” she said.

Virginia Moloney told the crowd at the opening ceremony she had visited Lyndoch when she was a student and had performed at musical concerts for residents.

Now a teacher, she said she tried to instill in her students skills and activities that would benefit them throughout their lives.

She congratulated Lyndoch for encouraging its clients and residents to maintain an active lifestyle.

The opening of the new rehabilitation centre was part of Lyndoch’s ongoing development from a 12-bed hostel to an organisation that served nearly 200 residents and more than 550 clients, Ms Moloney said.