Up in arms.

And now let us turn to the extremely divisive topic of modern architecture. Are you a fan or do you find anything built after 1950 an utter abomination? Do Frank Gehry’s swoops and undulations make you shudder with glee or recoil in disgust?

Is the name Zaha Hadid taste like honey on your lips or bitter gall?

Well, the world’s current most passionate, volatile debate spilled into Sydney’s typically passive locals dug in on both sides over the $3m refurbishment of the Coogee Surf Lifesaving Club.

What was once a simple yellow brick has turned fabulous (in the author’s opinion) but the man who paid for it, New South Wales treasurer Dominic Perrottet, is infuriated and says it now looks “like a massive microwave.”

Continuing, he added, “In the lead-up to the 2017 budget I stood inside that stunning clubhouse and announced new funding to upgrade it and make it more accessible. This isn’t what I had in mind. It’s possible I said the old clubhouse was good enough to frame, but I didn’t mean literally. We have to stop turning icons into eyesores. Buildings like this occupy public spaces that belong to everyone. That’s why beauty in architecture is so important. The buildings we build should complement the beauty of their surroundings. Our city deserves better and we must do better.”

Some have found the facelift so disturbing that an online petition has been set up demanding the original architecture be restored.

Coogee Surf Life Saving Club president Todd Mison, however, has slapped back, telling Perrottet they didn’t ask for the money in the first place, it was just given, and that he loves the re-design. “I can only go on what I’ve heard, but I stand outside that club literally everyday and the feedback is predominantly positive from both club members and passersby. I think the way they’ve blended the old downstairs portico, which has been left in situ, with the contemporary, is amazing.”

Mike Harris, a landscape architecture academic at the University of New South Wales, said, “The (redesign) doesn’t look impressive, even for a modernist apologist like myself. But if the original ever had any architectural merit it has been modified beyond recognition – a not uncommon incremental process over 100 years.”

Coogee local Marty Doyle said, “I reckon it’s gross.”

But now to the most important critic of all.

You.

What is your informed opinion?

World's collide.

But is there anything the world’s greatest surfer Kelly Slater cannot do? Anything at all (besides tip 20% at restaurants or bars)? Let’s count a few of his accomplishments.

He has won 11 world professional surfing titles.

He has set off an explosion of cowboy-beach themed restaurants and bars all thanks to his design influence behind Lemoore, California’s Surf Ranch.

But let’s go to Houston, Texas where the latest has opened.

Cowboy Surfer is a new casual bar with comfort fare and live music and officially opens Tuesday at 827 Frostwood Drive in Memorial.

According to the Houston Chronicle, “The 1,850 square-foot space features colors of bright blue and yellow and cowboy and surfer-themed artwork including memorabilia, posters, prints, photography, vinyl records and personal items from photographers such as Kenny Braun, Geoff Winningham and Mark Seliger.”

Bar co-owner Jack Massing said, “Visitors to the bar will enjoy the wide range of quality art and memorabilia that visually tie together the worlds of hard work and freedom while listening to the music that captures the spirit of Texas and the West.”

Very cool.

The menu will feature surfer-cowboy favorites chili and cheeseburgers and the bar will serve a drink familiar to all surfers, the Baja Beach Beer, which I don’t have to remind you, is made with vodka, orange juice, lime juice, jalapeno and ginger beer.

Muy delicious.

Kelly Slater was not available for comment.