Upgraded Old Airport Road Food Centre brighter, but some say ventilation poor

Dakota resident Oh Ai Khim missed making a daily pit stop for a meal at her favourite food centre when it was closed for four months to get upgraded.

- Chin Soo Fang Senior Correspondent and Fatmah Khan

"I was 'suffering' as I missed the variety of delicious food here," she said on Nov 4. "I'm glad to be back and I can see that it's cleaner, cooler and brighter."

The 70-year-old retired dishwasher summed up the sentiments of quite a few patrons and hawkers after revisiting the food centre and shopping mall at Block 51 Old Airport Road, which reopened on Oct 1.

The popular food centre had been closed from June 1 to Sept 30 for refurbishment.

Marine Parade Town Council said the cyclical repair and redecoration (R&R) works included repainting interior and exterior walls, repairing defects in common areas and replacing tables and chairs.

High-volume, low-speed fans were installed, in addition to energy-efficient LED lighting. The toilets were refurbished and exhaust systems enhanced.

Bird netting and spikes were added and the outdoor seating area was improved, along with the installation of new floor and wall tiles.

Mr Ding Fang Zhi, 50, opened his new stall - 98 Handmade Noodle, Fish Soup & Spinach Soup - at the food centre after the refurbishment.

Mr Ding, whose stall was previously in Serangoon, said: "I appreciate the fans which make the place cooler, and the new tables and chairs for a better dining experience."

Others, however, had mixed feelings about the upgrading works.

They include Mr Lim Kee Yong, whose letter was published in The Straits Times Forum page on Oct 29.

He said that despite the installation of larger ceiling fans, "ventilation remains poor because there is no proper suction system, and smoke emitted from the barbecuing and deep-frying accumulates and makes people cough".