THERE was no mistaking the tinge of sadness at Arden Street on Wednesday morning as North Melbourne completed its final training session from its old facilities.

For the very last time, the players walked back down their race, returned to their change-rooms and sat at their lockers - digesting the decades-old history of a setting they would soon part with.

From next week, the club will operate from a $15 million building that will combine its administration and football department and provide players and coaches with the state-of-the-art training resources they have so long craved.

By the end of the year, the old clubrooms, offices and gymnasium will be demolished, with many of the fixtures and furnishings to be sold.

Brady Rawlings, entering his 12th season at North, said he and his teammates had mixed feelings about their immediate future.

"We've spent so many good times in here and a lot of my memories are from this room ... having a laugh before training and post-training and just hanging with the boys," he said.

"Although we're so excited about going into the new development it's a little bit sad leaving this one. We've had so much fun over the years and it brings back a lot of memories.

"My good mate Adam Simpson's just finished up and he's been in these change-rooms his whole career. I don't reckon he'd change a thing, just because that's what he knows about North Melbourne.

"But even he's excited about what we've got going on here because it's so much part of his life. He wants to see us get into a good facility. At least I'll get a chance to go into this professional environment. Some other blokes never got the chance."

Rawlings recalled the banter he used to share with premiership defender Mick Martyn - who had the locker beside his - and the many games of indoor cricket played in the main room.

Of his current teammates, only captain Brent Harvey has seen the list turned over more: from the club's halcyon days of the late '90s to those recruited and farewelled under former coach Dean Laidley throughout seven seasons from 2003.

A new era under Brad Scott will welcome up to six new players in Thursday night's NAB AFL Draft and two more as rookies next month.

"We've got the Shinboner Room over there and I think we got up to 960-odd players that have represented the club," Rawlings said. "I'm 872 so there have been a fair few make their debuts since I've started.

"I've seen a fair few come and go and there's been plenty that were around for a couple of years and might not have got a game as well."

Scott has acknowledged several times the adjustment his players will have to make after years of squeezing the most out of facilities that are sub-standard when compared to opposition clubs.

However, Rawlings said the Roos' gradual improvement in recent years would make the transition less significant.

"Although we haven't had the best facilities, we've still been able to be quite professional given our circumstances," he said. "Having all of the facilities at our doorstep, we'll be able to take that professionalism to a new level.

"There'll be no excuses now. We've got it all there."

The existing Arden Street facilities will be opened to the public for the final time on Saturday.