History of Yan Kit Swimming Complex

Opened in December 1952 by the then Governor of Singapore Sir John Nicoll, the Yan Kit Swimming Complex was the second swimming facility in Singapore. It was situated at Yan Kit Road at Tanjong Pagar, where its name was attributed to Look Yan Kit (1849-1931). A Cantonese dentist who first plied his trade in Hong Kong, Look Yan Kit later came to Singapore in 1877 and became a wealthy rubber plantation owner. He was also one of the founding fathers of Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital built in 1910.

The site where Yan Kit Swimming Complex stood was formerly a stretch of the old railway line. The swimming pool was surrounded by “attap” houses during the 50s and 70s in a densely populated area. Yan Kit Swimming Complex witnessed tremendous changes in its surrounding environment in its fifty-odd years’ history. The kampongs were replaced by flats and commercial buildings. The swimming pool itself was shut down and abandoned after 27 March 2001.

The main pool measured 50m by 14m included a practice and a wading pool. Entrance fees then were 15 cents and 10 cents for adults and children respectively.

The plans to give this aging swimming complex a new lease of life never materialised, as it would cost an estimated $4 million to upgrade the facilities and a further $400,000 for annual maintenance. In 2012, with no alternative plans from both the Singapore Sports Council and the private developers, Yan Kit Swimming Complex was demolished. The empty pools were filled up with concrete, with only one of its buildings preserved.

Today, the legacy of PSC lives on with many of the ex-national players belonging to a cohesive and active group, meeting regularly with John Gan to talk about the old days amidst laughter and jubilation. The one thing that that many of the members would vouch for is that, without John Gan, things would never be the same and many of them would not have been successful, in sport or in life, without his mentorship, strict discipline and regimental training. In fact, the newer clubs would never have improved or even existed without the emergence of the new generation of PSC players. John Gan’s sacrifices and dedication in guiding his players helped transform, shape and raise the standards of water polo from lackluster mediocracy to what it is today in Singapore, a winner at every SEA Games (men’s) water polo final.

Hats off and glasses high to John Gan, the great pioneer and very dedicated leader of Water Polo in Singapore!