After undergoing a 10-month period of extensive renovations, the newly revamped Deck has not only brought back popular favorites like the Japanese food stall and the Western food stall, but also included new vendors such as fast-food outlet Burger King, Thai restaurant Lerk Thai and Olio cafe in its new air-conditioned extension.

Offering a variety of cuisines such as Lerk Thai’s Tom Yam Seafood and Green Curry, Burger King’s Mushroom Swiss Double and gourmet sandwiches from Olio, the new extension riles the curiosity of many.

Students who have visited the newly renovated canteen have much to say about the new addition.

Ng Yi Hang, a third-year political science major, said the new tier was “not too bad.”

"The air-con concept is really quite good. It can get quite hot in the canteen sometimes,” he said. “It’s actually quite a good idea to have a café-type place like the new section.”

Syahzan Kudus, a fourth-year student from the School of Design and Environment, agreed that the new air-conditioned tier is a useful addition to The Deck.

"This area used to be just an open space, now there are actually food joints,” he said.
However,  Kudus added that there is nothing exceptional about the new tier.

“It’s basically like a typical food court,” he said.

Some students, such as Lionel Wong, a third-year political science major, were less favorable towards the new tier.

“I’d rather have the old canteen back,” he said. “It had more character.”

Others, such as Gareth Gu, a second-year student from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, felt that The Deck could have been better designed.

“There’s quite a wastage of space, there should be more chairs. he said. “You don’t expect us to be standing and having our lunch at the same time do you?”

Cheong Zheng Chang, a third-year communications and new media major, agreed with Gu.
“There’s too much white spaces, they could definitely be filled up with more chairs and seats,” he said.

Students also had misconceptions about Burger King’s prices.  Many of the students whom The Observer interviewed at the Burger King outlet did not realize that discount pricing was in force.

“Burger King sells their food at the same price (as they do out of school), shouldn’t it be cheaper?” Wong said.

According to Burger King’s floor manager, a 20% discount was given to all students. The fast-food joint is the only vendor in the new tier that practices a student discount scheme.

Despite criticisms towards the new tier, most of The Deck’s patrons whom The Observer spoke to were glad that The Deck is in operation again.