Hidden among the high-rise buildings of Tanjong Pagar and hawker centre, is a small neighbourhood space with a surprisingly colourful past. Today, Yan Kit Playfield is where residents come for a morning walk, exercise, play or simply enjoy some fresh air. But several decades ago, you would have needed a swimsuit rather than walking shoes to visit this spot.
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The site was once home to Yan Kit Swimming Complex, one of Singapore’s earliest public swimming facilities. Built at a cost of about S$513,000, the complex officially opened in 1952 and was Singapore’s second public swimming pool complex. At the time, it was also considered the country’s largest and most modern swimming facility.
And this was no ordinary neighbourhood pool.
Spread across almost 15,000 square metres, Yan Kit had three adjoining swimming pools, along with a clubhouse, shower rooms, refreshment kiosks and a children’s paddling pool. When it opened to the public in 1953, admission was just 15 cents for adults and 10 cents for swimmers under 18. It became so popular that swimmers were sometimes restricted to two-hour sessions.
Imagine this part of Tanjong Pagar in those days — children splashing in the water, families spending their afternoons by the pool and swimmers cooling off from Singapore’s heat.
But times changed. As newer swimming facilities appeared around Singapore, attendance at Yan Kit gradually declined. Rising maintenance costs also became a problem, and the swimming complex eventually closed in 2001. Attempts to privatise the facility were unsuccessful, and in 2011 the old pools were filled in and grassed over.
Instead of disappearing completely, however, Yan Kit was given a new chapter.
The site was transformed into Yan Kit Playfield, opening as a community recreational space in 2019. Where swimmers once did their laps, residents can now walk, jog, exercise and enjoy the open green spaces. The playfield also includes fitness areas, a children’s playground and a multipurpose court for sports such as basketball, netball and volleyball. A jogging path connects the different recreational areas.
Perhaps the nicest part is that a piece of the old Yan Kit still survives. The distinctive C-shaped Art Deco building at the entrance remains, quietly reminding visitors of the swimming complex that once stood here.
Today, Yan Kit Playfield may look like a simple neighbourhood recreation area, but beneath the grass lies more than half a century of memories.
The swimmers may be gone, but Yan Kit is still doing what it has always done — giving the surrounding community a place to relax, exercise and come together.
