The Yan Kit Swimming Pool was opened in January 1931. Originally constructed as a filter tank for the Water Department, it was closed down during the Japanese occupation and had its plant removed. It was then refitted and reopened in December 1949 and its popularity is evident from the fact that during the three years since that time, its attendance has totaled 450,000.

The site for the pool was originally a portion of a railway cutting on the old F.M.S. Railway line. Also, it's been selected as being the centre of a very densely populated area. It is estimated that there is a population of 140,000 within a three-quarter mile radius of this swimming pool.

Work on the site started in October 1951 and it took 14 months to complete. This is largely due to heavy rain which has frequently led to accumulation of water in the deep excavations.

After experiencing years of popularity, its attendances began to wane and the pool was closed permanently on 27 March 2001 due to the deteriorating conditions of the complex. The property was returned to the Singapore government.