Struggling with the stifling sun? Take a dip and beat the heat for next to nothing. Hsieh Nizhen tests the waters

SWIMMING COMPLEX
 Katong
111 Wilkinson Rd; 6344 9609

ADMISSION
Adult $1 (Mon-Fri); $1.30 (Sat & Sun). Concession $0.50 (Mon-Fri); $0.70 (Sat & Sun)

OPERATION HOURS
Daily 8am-9pm

DIPPING VARIETY
Competition pool
Teaching pool
Wading pool

LOUNGING POTENTIAL
Not much for lounging unless hardwood benches and plastic chairs are your thing. Recliners are few and far between so go early to chope.

EYE CANDY
The mural at the extreme left side of the complex when you enter is of a stick man in a series of diving positions.

CROWD GAZING
The most toned and tanned old people you will find.

DECIBEL LEVEL
Cicada quiet. You can even hear the mould grow.

NOTEWORTHY
It desperately needs a makeover.

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SWIMMING COMPLEX
Jurong East
21 Jurong East St 31; 6563 5052/6565 2297

ADMISSION
Adult $1.50 (Mon-Fri); $2 (Sat & Sun). Concession $0.80 (Mon-Fri); $1 (Sat & Sun)

OPERATION HOURS
Mon 2.30-9pm; Tue-Sun 8am-9pm

DIPPING VARIETY
Competition pool
Wave pool
Lazy river
Water slides
Jacuzzi

LOUNGING POTENTIAL
Not much for lounging unless hardwood benches and plastic chairs are your thing. Recliners are few and far between so go early to chope.

EYE CANDY
There’s a 3-D movie viewer for a buck outside the men’s changing room.

CROWD GAZING
Tons of children and teenagers, with maids and extended families in tow. Also, the rare expat.

DECIBEL LEVEL
Ear-piercing. Kids screeching in either delight or terror. It’s hard to gauge.

NOTEWORTHY
Greasy KFC and Pizza Hut in the building.

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SWIMMING COMPLEX
Buona Vista
76 Holland Dr; 6778 7230

ADMISSION
Adult $1 (Mon-Fri); $1.30 (Sat & Sun). Concession $0.50 (Mon-Fri); $0.60, $0.70 (Sat & Sun)

OPERATION HOURS
Daily 8am-9.30pm

DIPPING VARIETY
Competition pool
Teaching pool
Wading pool

LOUNGING POTENTIAL
Not much for lounging unless hardwood benches and plastic chairs are your thing. Recliners are few and far between so go early to chope.

EYE CANDY
The yellow, brown and turquoise colours of the complex are reminiscent of a Wes Anderson movie.

CROWD GAZING
More idlers than swimmers.  

DECIBEL LEVEL
White noise. Constitutes the murmur of Buona Vista residents deep in humdrum gossip. .

NOTEWORTHY
Post-swim drinks? The complex is located next to the car park behind popular Holland Village boozing spot Wala Wala.

 

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SWIMMING COMPLEX
Queenstown
473 Stirling Rd; 6473 7269

ADMISSION
Adult $1 (Mon-Fri); $1.30 (Sat & Sun). Concession $0.50 (Mon-Fri); $0.70 (Sat & Sun)

OPERATION HOURS
Daily 8am-9pm

DIPPING VARIETY
Competition pool
Teaching pool
Wading pool
Diving pool

LOUNGING POTENTIAL
Not much for lounging unless hardwood benches and plastic chairs are your thing. Recliners are few and far between so go early to chope.

EYE CANDY
Small reading corner in the canteen. Shelves stocked with Buddhist sutras and trashy Chinese gossip magazines.

CROWD GAZING
Young, attractive, single sunbathers and couples with their kids.  

DECIBEL LEVEL
Peaceful enough for a siesta.

NOTEWORTHY
Opened in 1970, it is the oldest running swimming complex. It's also near Ikea.

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SWIMMING COMPLEX
Toa Payoh
301 Toa Payoh Lorong 6; 6259 4808

ADMISSION
Adult $1 (Mon-Fri); $1.30 (Sat & Sun). Concession $0.50 (Mon-Fri); $0.70 (Sat & Sun)

OPERATION HOURS
Daily 8am-9pm

DIPPING VARIETY
Competition pool
Teaching pool
Wading pool
Training pool
Diving pool

LOUNGING POTENTIAL
Not much for lounging unless hardwood benches and plastic chairs are your thing. Recliners are few and far between so go early to chope.

EYE CANDY
The sleek, taut, tanned bodies of water polo players in training. Think Baywatch with yellow balls.

CROWD GAZING
A range – from the nubile and athletic to the ah peks sporting tootight Speedos.

DECIBEL LEVEL
Unpleasant. PIE traffic is incessant.

NOTEWORTHY
The retro-futuristic lifeguard booth with a spiral staircase looks like something out of Robocop.