Right after the tearing down of the old Toa Payoh Swimming Complex, another old public swimming complex will also be walking into history. The old Ang Mo Kio Swimming Complex is currently undergoing demolition, as part of the rejuvenation plans for the aging Ang Mo Kio New Town. The site will be redeveloped into a new complex called Active SG @Ang Mo Kio, comprising swimming pool, gym and fitness studio.

Opened in May 1982, the 41-year-old Ang Mo Kio Swimming Complex was perhaps best known for its iconic orange-bricked walls and tetrahedron-shaped roofs.

The unique design of the roofs was recognised and nominated by the Singapore Institute of Architects in 1986 for its Micro Architectural Design Awards, competing with other design nominees in the Housing and Development Board (HDB) category including the Woodlands Town Garden (roof), Bukit Batok Neighbourhood Centre (column) and Hougang Area Office (sunscreen).

Not all memories were good at the old Ang Mo Kio Swimming Complex. Two tragic drowning incidents occurred at its swimming pools in a span of two months between September and October 1986. A 11-year-old boy struggled and drowned after a daring challenge with his friend. A month later, a 24-year-old clerk suffered a heart failure and drowned in the pool.

In April 1989, the maximum temperatures in many parts of Singapore reached 34.5degC. Due to the scorching hot weather, Ang Mo Kio and Toa Payoh Swimming Complexes reported a rise in the number of swimmers by 20 to 30 percent.

Ang Mo Kio Swimming Complex underwent a major renovation in December 1993. It was closed for a long 20 months for a series of upgrading works and defect rectifications, and was eventually re-opened in August 1995.

Many nearby residents and long-time swimmers of the old Ang Mo Kio Swimming Complex will certainly miss the place that had accompanied them for more than four decades.

Published: 21 December 2023

Updated: 8 January 2023