Youth Center Diner - nothing could be finer Published June 24, 2010 By Senior Airman David Dobrydney 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Children and parents at RAF Lakenheath have a new slice of home at the 48th Force Support Squadron Youth Center. The Youth Center completely refurbished its snack bar and opened the "American Diner" in its place, complete with 1950s-style booths and posters of classic cars. "Everybody who comes into the building says, 'wow, what a transformation!'", said 48th Force Support Squadron Youth Program Director Carrie Basaca. The snack bar went unchanged for 10 years. Once the project was approved, Ms. Basaca and the Youth Center staff looked to their clients, the children, for suggestions on how the new snack bar should look. "The kids said it would be cool to have a theme, and they said, 'how about a diner?'", said Ms. Basaca. "These kids have had lots of travels, and their parents and grandparents have told them about how diners should look," Ms. Basaca continued. "They even suggested having the servers on roller skates." The renovation work started in April and was completed by the end of the school year so the diner would be ready for the Youth Center's annual summer camp. Today, the American Diner serves healthy snacks and treats for both children and their parents. The new design makes it easier for customers to get their food and move to their tables. The new diner can also accommodate more customers. "The kids are more excited than ever now to sit down with their friends," said Ms. Basaca. "It's a welcoming sight." The parents think so, too. "It's much nicer than the old design," said Celeste Mott, who has lived here for the past two years. "I think it fits the children's style better." Mrs. Mott's daughter, Tiffany, agreed, saying the American Diner is "real cool."