Club Milestones
1893 - 1900
1893 – The First Meeting
A small group of young European men who wanted to learn how to swim in open water met at the now-defunct Waverley Hotel to discuss the formation of a swimming club. A committee comprising Mr F Nawton, Mr R Price, Mr G Mousley, Mr R Charlton, Mr H Fregarthen, Mr H L Coghlen and Mr W Craig was formed.
7 February 1894 – Inauguration of Singapore Swimming Club
The first Clubhouse was a dilapidated attap hut rented from a Malay fisherman. Subsequently, it was abandoned for a bungalow located at this present site. Membership strength was 50. The first Annual General Meeting was held and Mr Jackson Miller was elected as the Club’s first President. Membership strength grew to 65.
1899 – First Club Property Purchase
The Club bought over its rented clubhouse from the new landlord for $3,500 and added a sea wall and diving platform as well as dressing rooms and bathing enclosure. A diving stage was constructed in the days when members bathed in the open sea.
1901 – 1945
1904 – New Clubhouse 
Membership reached 200 and a larger clubhouse was built for $15,165. The Club celebrated the opening with a carnival.
1918 – First Car Park Constructed
With the construction of Meyer Road and Tanjong Rhu Road completed, the Club built its first parking lot measuring 20 feet by 10 feet.
1920 – Piped-in Municipal Water
The Club enjoyed piped municipal water for the first time in 1920. Showers were installed in the bathrooms the subsequent year.
1923 – Women Admitted as “Honorary Members”
Despite some opposition, the proposal to admit women as “honorary members” was approved. However, it was decided that they could use the Club only on public holidays. Subsequently, the Club grew so popular with the ladies that the women dressing room had to be expanded in 1925.
Late 1920s – Municipal Electricity and Gas
Membership increased to 2,821 in 1928. Municipal electricity finally reached the Club, followed by gas in 1929. That gave the Club added flexibility to introduce alfresco dining and other activities.
1931 – First Swimming Pool and New Wing Opens
The first swimming pool measuring 210 feet by 100 feet was opened at the Club. The opening made headline news which resonated through Malaya. Singapore’s governor at that time – Mr Cecil Clementi, officiated the opening after which he promptly disrobed himself and dived into the pool from the high platform. A new wing was also added that housed a 275-seater restaurant, a 6,500 square foot ballroom, an air-conditioned steak bar, ladies’ lounge and a billiards room. During a special meeting in 1931, women were permitted into the Club on Sunday evenings. It would take another six years before they could gain entry to the Club during the day as well.
1946 - 1965
1948 – First Swimming School Opens
The Club set up its first swimming school with Mr George Creighton as coach. Mr Creighton was a former British Army Lieutenant with professional qualifications in swimming and had qualified for the Scottish Olympic training award.
1952 – Admission of Asian Guests
After much debate during a special general meeting, Mr D Stark, President at that time, put forward the resolution “in favour of the admission of Asian guests to the Club.” The resolution was narrowly passed with a margin of 36 votes for, 35 against and 3 abstentions.
1960 – Women Attend the Annual General Meeting
Women notched another victory when they were allowed to attend the Annual General Meeting for the first time although they would still not have voting rights.
1963 – Admission of Asian members
With Singapore’s independence and changing social norms in 1963, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew issued a directive to all British clubs that they could no longer be “white only” institutions and must open their doors to all races.
1966 – 2000
1972 – First Asian President Elected – Dr Chan Swan Tong
Reflecting the changing composition of the Club’s membership, Dr Chan Swan Tong, Vice-president to President Ken Meyer in 1971, stood for and won the election after the President decided to resign.
1983 – Sports Complex Opens
The Sports Complex comprising squash, tennis and badminton courts, swimming pool, gym, bowling alley and games room was officially opened by Dr Tan Eng Liang, then Chairman of the Singapore Sports Council.
1991 – Launch of Master Redevelopment Plan
The Club launched its five-year master redevelopment plan that would see it add on new facilities such as a health centre, alfresco F&B outlets, a 10-lane bowling centre and a six-court badminton hall.
1994 – 100th Anniversary Celebration
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The Club celebrated its centenary with a grand carnival. The guest-of-honour was the then Minister for Home Affairs Wong Kan Seng.
1994 – Club organised its first-ever Open Invitational Midget Meet (OIMM)
For the first time in the Club's history, we organised an OIMM and garnered an overwhelming response. Eight clubs with 215 swimmers submitted their entries and the Club swimmers emerged runner-ups.
1997 – Equal Status for Lady Members
Lady Members were given equal status as male members and all ladies became Ordinary Members with voting rights.
2001 - Present
2001 – New Administration Building Grand Opening
The Club welcomed honorary life member, then president, the late S R Nathan as the Guest of Honour at the grand opening of its new Administration Building, which houses a koi pond, an outdoor café, a library and reading rooms among other facilities.
2007 – Formation of Audit Committee
An Audit Committee was formed on 5 September to look into the adequacy of the Club’s internal controls, corporate governance and risk management. In addition, it set up an avenue for members and staff to report in confidence any suspected wrongdoing, violation of the law, Club Rules and/or Club Bye-laws and/or direct threat to the interests of the Club so that appropriate investigations could be conducted and actions taken.
2008 – D’Sports is Born
After months of refurbishment work, D’Activity reincarnated as D’Sports, the Club’s new swanky Sports Bar.
2009 – Launch of Redevelopment Project
The Club’s redevelopment project added a new recreation and children’s pool, playground, jackpot room, Delicatessen, outdoor area for Cabana, spa, retail space, children’s corner and cue sports room, and included the expansion of the Multi-Storey Car Park, Gym and The Palms restaurant.
2014 – Opening of Jade Phoenix and Emerald Court
Jade Phoenix Chinese restaurant opened its doors to members on 16 January, six weeks after the previous restaurant ended its lease. The outlet offers high quality Cantonese cuisine and original recipes by our Master Chefs. The old jackpot room at Level 2 of the Administration Building was renovated and converted into an extension of Jade Phoenix and renamed Emerald Court where members can hold private dinners.
2017 – Hosting of Foo Kok Keong Cup
For the first time since its inception in 2012, the annual Foo Kok Keong Cup was held outside Malaysia's borders, and the Club was honoured to stage this prestigious event. Two hundred and forty shuttlers from nine countries took part in this tournament, held at the Club's Badminton Hall over a span of three days on 7-9 July.
2018 – Reconstruction of the Competition Pool
The Competition Pool underwent massive reconstruction works to correct a waterproofing defect that was causing massive water loss and increasing utility expenses. Construction works finished ahead of schedule and the Club threw a massive reopening ceremony, complete with carnival games and water tele-matches on 29 December.
2019 – Commissioning of Solar Panel System
The Club has leased solar panels, which had been installed at the rooftops, for electricity generation. This project has no initial capital outlay and the Club will have full ownership of the panels after the end of the 25-year lease term. The solar panel system will save the Club about $85,000 every year.
2020 – Joseph Schooling is Club’s First Swimming Programmes’ Ambassador
Olympic champion Joseph Schooling accepted the Club’s offer to be its first-ever Swimming Programmes’ Ambassador.
2021 – Opening of Fountain Café
The new Fountain Café took over the space of the Fountain Bar. The alfresco bistro at the Koi Pond courtyard offers a wide range of healthy and trendy food, and serves specialty coffee, TWG teas and milkshakes.
2021 – Opening of Co-working Space
To cater to the increasing demand for hybrid work arrangements, the Club opened the co-working space at the Koi Pond courtyard. The Club inked a five-year contract with co-working space specialist O2Work to manage the facility on a profit-sharing basis.