The club’s transition to the new High Performance Centre has been a smooth success, with the first playing group set to arrive at their new base next week.

Speaking to Radio Sport National this morning, Football Operations Manager Steve Alessio said the players would benefit enormously from the world class facilities.

“There are the two big ovals, a massive indoor training hall, four levels of administration and you can really see the spring in the step of the staff. It’s a new beginning here for us all and everyone is really excited about it,” Alessio said.

“Finally, it is now our turn and it’s absolutely magnificent.

“I was a player when they renovated Windy Hill in the 1990’s and at that time, it was a place where we were at the forefront in terms of the facilities. But that was over 20 years ago and every other club has since gone through some sort of renovation.”

Alessio also confirmed that the club’s VFL team would continue to play at Windy Hill in 2014.

“The VFL side will still play there and will be based there,” Alessio said.

“We haven’t left Windy Hill behind and we won’t. Our vibrant social club is still there as well as the Bomber Shop so we still have a fair presence out at Windy Hill.

“Having said that, the opportunity to come out to Melbourne Airport and relocate to create what we have was one that we couldn’t resist as a club. It’s an incredible, state-of-the-art facility.”