MELBOURNE is yet commit to a long-term partnership with the City of Casey, but will still shift its training base to Cranbourne from November 1.

Council officials will meet with the club on Friday in an attempt to formalise months of negotiations that include $2 million of funding for facilities at Casey Fields in exchange for a community involvement from the Demons worth $600,000 a year for the next 30 years.

An upgrade of the facilities at Casey Fields will see an extension of an existing pavilion to house Melbourne's football department, with funding from the council crucial to a permanent move.

Melbourne chief executive Cameron Schwab said a relationship had been built with the Casey community and the club would start training at Cranbourne as scheduled, but made clear that a 30-year commitment couldn't be taken lightly.

"We need to make sure the agreement can stand the test of time," Schwab said in Friday's Herald Sun.

"We are making a decision not only on behalf of this administration, but of the next four or five."

However, City of Casey chief executive Mike Tyler believed a deal was close to finalised in August.

"We thought it was just a matter of sorting out a few minor issues," he said.

"The club now appears to have doubts about its ability to deliver over the 30-year period."

Melbourne can still use Casey Fields without the support of the council, and Schwab added that it would also embark on community programs regardless of the outcome of discussions.

The club commenced its preparations for 2009 with a session at Junction Oval on Monday.