Elise Stolte: City budget pits core versus suburbs in unnecessary competition for pools

Edmonton’s city budget is setting up a nasty battle between mature neighbourhoods and new suburbs over kids’ swimming lessons.
Three central Edmonton pools are on the chopping block this budget, along with one central ice arena. Eastglen and Scona pools, and both the Oliver outdoor pool and single-sheet arena, had low paid attendance in 2016.
Officials believe closing them will save at least $1.4 million a year.
At the same time, council is looking to use debt to finance a $300-milli