Singapore v Sydney.

These days, Singapore and Sydney have more in common than ever. A beautiful urban waterfront, an iconic performing arts centre, an increasingly beautiful population, a plethora of minimalist chic restaurants, and a burgeoning love of convertible cars, for starters.

But on a recent trip to the New South Wales capital, an afternoon spent by the harbour at the Redleaf Pool in Double Bay got me wondering why Singapore doesn’t take another leaf out of Sydney’s book. Lying on the sliver of beach flipping through the Sydney Morning Herald, squinting against the sun reflecting off the water, I asked myself: why doesn’t Singapore have any opportunities for safe, enclosed bathing in a natural body of water?

If I recall my previous life as a Chinese rubber tycoon correctly, as recently as the 1930s the lush republic boasted at least two sea pools: one at Katong, housing the Singapore Swimming Club, and one in Ponggol.

I’m aware that there are water quality issues. Bedok is never going to be Bronte; Tanah Merah bears little resemblance to Tamarama. But in the true Singapore innovative spirit, I submit this suggestion to the Singapore Sports Council.

How about building a fifty metre pool at the beach? I’m thinking about somewhere along East Coast Park, probably near the Marine Parade underpass. A pool, jutting out from the beach, appearing to be part of the sea, giving all the relaxing benefits of a beachside dip. But in deference to water quality issues, the pool would be fully self-contained, independent of the ocean: simply a traditional chlorinated swimming pool, just like the other 19 public pools in Singapore; with the one difference being that it’s surrounded by sea.

With a Sydney-style café, generous sunbathing deck, late night swimming and perhaps a massage centre and spa attached, the pool could be a focal point of the beach and vastly increase the glamour level of the East Coast. I hope architects’ applications will be invited at at the earliest opportunity.