Unlike previous council estates in Oxford, Blackbird Leys was planned to have an impressive range of amenities from the onset. Its central avenue not only had a row of shops, but also a pub, a health centre, a community centre, a library and even its own church. The estate also acquired its own schools, a sports centre and even a swimming pool. In addition there are extensive sports fields, a greyhound and speedway stadium in Sandy Lane , and recently the new Oxford United football stadium has been built next to the estate. From the first, the council was trying to build the foundations for a whole community, not just a housing estate.