The ball is definitely rolling in Smartpark. With the paint still drying on 137 Innovation Drive, Smartpark Development Corporation president Alan Simms said they’re already looking at constructing a third multi-tenant facility.

"We’re actively considering a third facility which would be called 1 Research Road," Simms said. "We’re sizing it out to be 50,000 square feet and we’re looking towards a late spring construction start."

As the name implies, the new facility would be perched on the entrance road to Smartpark, just off Chancellor Matheson Drive. While finding alternative funding for the project is a challenge, Simms said finding willing tenants to move in is not a problem. In fact, there’s already a line up of companies waiting for space.

"Companies are deriving a strong benefit from being on the university’s doorstep," Simms said.

Iders Inc. vice-president David Fletcher, one of the new tenants in the 30,000 square-foot 137 Innovation Drive Building, couldn’t agree more.

"There are all sorts of synergies. We employ computer and electrical engineering students who are all graduates from the university’s various degree programs," Fletcher said. Being close to the university helps the company attract graduates, access research and provide research funding of its own.

"This looks like a community of technological companies," Fletcher said. "There’s something to be said for strength in numbers – it feels like we’re part of something and I think we’re just beginning to see where this goes."

Fletcher joined representatives from the other new tenants, RTDS Technologies Inc. and TransGrid Solutions Inc., for a brief official opening ceremony and Christmas get together on Dec. 23.

RTDS (Real Time Digital Simulator) Technologies Inc. director Rudi Wierckx said it makes sense for like-minded companies to be in one area.

"This gives us more space," Wierckx said. "We’ve already done business with Iders Inc. and we’re affiliated with TransGrid Solutions."

RTDS was formed in 1994 and is primarily responsible for developing and marketing the Real Time Digital Simulator along with using that technology to develop new products in the area of real time simulation for powers systems. Its parent company, recently formed TransGrid Solutions Inc., provides technological consulting in the field of power transmission technologies.

Iders Inc. designs novel electronic solutions upon request – its first line of products, when the company was created in 1991, being an electronic payment transaction system for CIBC.